Sphingosine kinase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to substituted adamantane compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, processes for their preparation, and methods for inhibiting sphingosine kinase and for treating or preventing hyperproliferative disease, inflammatory disease, or angiogenic disease.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/424,423, filed Jun. 15, 2006, which is a non-provisional applicationclaiming priority under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) to provisionalapplication No. 60/691,563 filed Jun. 17, 2005, the contents of both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP

This invention was made with government support Grant R43CA097833awarded by the United States Public Health Service. Accordingly, the USgovernment may have certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compounds that are capable of inhibitingsphingosine kinase and to processes for the synthesis of thesecompounds. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositionscomprising these compounds and to methods for the use of these compoundsand pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventinghyperproliferative disease, inflammatory disease, or angiogenic disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The mechanisms and effects of the interconversion of sphingolipids havebeen the subjects of a growing body of scientific investigation.Sphingomyelin is not only a building block for cellular membranes butalso serves as the precursor for potent lipid messengers that haveprofound cellular effects. As described below, stimulus-inducedmetabolism of these lipids is critically involved in the biology ofhyperproliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic diseases. Consequently,manipulation of these metabolic pathways is a novel method for thetherapy of a variety of diseases.

Ceramide is produced by the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin in response toseveral stimuli, including growth factors and inflammatory cytokines.Ceramide induces apoptosis in cancerous cells. Additionally, ceramidecan be hydrolyzed by the action of ceramidase to produce sphingosine.Sphingosine is then phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase (SK) to producesphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Evidence demonstrates that S1P is acritical second messenger that exerts proliferative and anti-apoptoticactions. Additionally, ceramide enhances apoptosis in response toanticancer drugs including Taxol and etoposide. Furthermore, ceramideappears to induce apoptosis in tumor cells without killing quiescentnormal cells. Studies in various cell lines consistently indicate thatS1P is able to induce proliferation and protect cells from apoptosis.Together, the data demonstrate that the balance between cellular levelsof ceramide and S1P determines whether a cancer cell proliferates ordies by apoptosis. Therefore, altering this balance by reducing theproduction of S1P within hyperproliferating cells is an effective methodto treat disorders arising from abnormal cell proliferation.

Sphingosine kinase is responsible for S1P production in cells. RNAencoding SK is expressed in most tissues, with higher levels oftenoccurring in tumor tissue than in corresponding normal tissue. A varietyof proliferative factors, including Protein Kinase C (PKC) activators,fetal calf serum, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Epidermal GrowthFactor, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) rapidly elevate cellularSK activity. This promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of thetarget cells. Additionally, an oncogenic role of SK has beendemonstrated. In these studies, transfection of SK into NIH/3T3fibroblasts was sufficient to promote foci formation and cell growth insoft-agar, and to allow these cells to form tumors in NOD/SCID mice.Additionally, inhibition of SK by transfection with a dominant-negativeSK mutant or by treatment of cells with the nonspecific SK inhibitorD-erythro-N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) blocked transformation mediatedby oncogenic H-Ras. Since abnormal activation of Ras, as well asoverexpression and mutation of ras family genes, frequently occurs incancer, these findings indicate a significant role of SK in thisdisease.

In addition to its role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis,S1P has been shown to have several important effects on cells thatmediate immune functions. Platelets, monocytes and mast cells secreteS1P upon activation, promoting inflammatory cascades at the site oftissue damage. Activation of SK is required for the signaling responsessince the ability of TNFα to induce adhesion molecule expression viaactivation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFκB) is mimicked by S1P and isblocked by DMS. Similarly, S1P mimics the ability of TNFα to induce theexpression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the synthesis ofprostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and knock-down of SK by RNA interference blocksthese responses to TNFα but not S1P. S1P is also a mediator of Ca²⁺influx during neutrophil activation by TNFα and other stimuli, leadingto the production of superoxide and other toxic radicals. Therefore,reducing the production of S1P within immune cells and their targettissues may be an effective method to treat disorders arising fromabnormal inflammation. Examples of such disorders include inflammatorybowel disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis, asthma, allergy, inflammatorykidney disease, circulatory shock, multiple sclerosis, chronicobstructive pulmonary disease, skin inflammation, periodontal disease,psoriasis and T cell-mediated diseases of immunity.

Angiogenesis refers to the state in the body in which various growthfactors or other stimuli promote the formation of new blood vessels, andthis process is critical to the pathology of a variety of diseases. Ineach case, excessive angiogenesis allows the progression of the diseaseand/or the produces undesired effects in the patient. Since conservedbiochemical mechanisms regulate the proliferation of vascularendothelial cells that form these new blood vessels, identification ofmethods to inhibit these mechanisms are expected to have utility for thetreatment and prevention of a variety of diseases. More specifically,certain growth factors have been identified that lead to the pathogenicangiogenesis. For example, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) hasangiogenic and mitogenic capabilities. Specifically, VEGF inducesvascular endothelial cell proliferation, favoring the formation of newblood vessels. Sphingosine kinase is an important mediator of theactions of VEGF. For example, SK has been shown to mediate VEGF-inducedactivation of protein kinases. VEGF has also been shown to specificallyinduce S1P receptors, associated with enhanced intracellular signalingresponses to S1P and the potentiation of its angiogenic actions.Production of S1P by SK stimulates NFκB activity leading to theproduction of COX-2, adhesion molecules and additional VEGF production,all of which promote angiogenesis. Furthermore, the expression ofendothelial isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is regulated by SK,and eNOS too subsequently modulates angiogenesis. Therefore, reducingthe production of S1P within endothelial cells is likely to be aneffective method to treat disorders arising from abnormal angiogenesis.Examples of such disorders include arthritis, cancer, psoriasis,Kaposi's sarcoma, hemangiomas, myocardial angiogenesis, atherosclerosis,and ocular angiogenic diseases.

In spite of the high level of interest in sphingolipid-derivedsignaling, there are very few known inhibitors of the enzymes of thispathway and the utility of pharmacologic inhibition of SK in vivo hasnot been previously demonstrated. In particular, the field suffers froma lack of potent and selective inhibitors of SK. Pharmacological studiesto date have used three compounds to inhibit SK activity: DMS,D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine and N,N,N-trimethyl-sphingosine. However,these compounds are not specific inhibitors of SK and have been shown toinhibit several other protein and lipid kinases. Therefore, improvedinhibitors of SK are required for use as antiproliferative,anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this application, we describe novel compounds that display theabove-mentioned desirable activities. Accordingly, the inventionencompasses the compounds of formula (I), shown below, processes for thesynthesis of these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containingsuch compounds, and methods employing such compounds or compositions inthe treatment or prevention of hyperproliferative disease, inflammatorydisease, or angiogenic disease, and more specifically compounds that arecapable of inhibiting SK.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of formula J:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein

L is a bond or is —C(R₃,R₄)—;

X is —C(R₃,R₄)N(R₅)—, —C(O)N(R₄)—, —N(R₄)C(O)—, —C(R₄,R₅)—, —N(R₄)—,—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂N(R₄)— or —N(R₄)S(O)₂—;

R₁ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

R₂ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl, alkyl-5-alkyl, -heteroaryl-aryl,-alkyl-heteroaryl-aryl, —C(O)—NH-aryl, -alkenyl-heteroaryl,—C(O)-heteroaryl, or -alkenyl-heteroaryl-aryl;

R₃ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, oxo(═O), —COOH, —OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl),—OC(O)alkyl, carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono ordialkylcarbamoyl, mono or dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- ordialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl, or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

wherein the alkyl and ring portion of each of the above R₁, R₂, and R₃groups is optionally substituted with up to 5 groups that areindependently (C₁-C₆) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C₁-C₆ alkyl),—C(O)O(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)R″, —CF₃, —OCF₃,—OH, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO₂H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″,—SO₂R′, —NO₂, or NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent is optionallyfurther substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, CN, OH, and NH₂; and

R₄ and R₅ are independently H or alkyl, provided that when R₃ and R₄ areon the same carbon and R₃ is oxo, then R₄ is absent.

The invention also provides processes for the synthesis of compounds offormula I.

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising acompound or salt of formula I and at least one pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier, solvent, adjuvant or diluent.

The invention also provides methods for the treatment or prevention ofhyperproliferative disease, inflammatory disease, or angiogenic disease.

The invention also provides methods for inhibiting sphingosine kinase ina cell.

The compounds of the invention are potent and selective inhibitors ofSK. Therefore, the invention provides inhibitors of SK which are usefulas antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic agents.

Specific preferred embodiments of the invention will become evident fromthe following more detailed description of certain preferred embodimentsand the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Inhibition of tumor growth by SK inhibitors. Balb/c female micewere injected subcutaneously with JC murine adenocarcinoma cellssuspended in PBS. After palpable tumor growth, animals were treated byoral gavage of either 100 μl of PEG400 (control, open squares) or 100mg/kg of Compound 62 (triangles) or Compound 57 (circles) on oddnumbered days. Whole body weight and tumor volume measurement wereperformed for up to 18 days. *p<0.05. Inset: Averaged body weights ofmice from each group during course of study.

FIG. 2. Dose-response relationships for inhibition of tumor growth byCompound 62. Balb/c female mice were injected subcutaneously with JCcells suspended in PBS. After palpable tumor growth, animals weretreated by oral gavage of either 100 μl of PEG400 (control, opensquares) or Compound 62 at 3.5 mg/kg (circles), 10 mg/kg (invertedtriangles), 35 mg/kg (triangles) or 100 mg/kg (squares) on odd numbereddays. Whole body weight and tumor volume measurement were performed forup to 18 days.

FIG. 3. Effects of Compound 62 on VEGF-induced vascular leakage. Nudemice were injected intraperitoneally with DMSO (Control, open bar) or 75mg/kg of Compound 62 (hatched bar) or given 100 mg/kg of Compound 62 byoral gavage (solid bar). After 30 minutes, Evan's Blue dye was injectedintravenously and the animals received subsequent subcutaneous injectsof either PBS or 400 ng of VEGF. The areas of vascular leakage in eachanimal were then quantified. Values represent the mean±SD areas ofvascular leakage. *p<0.01.

FIG. 4. Effects of Compound 62 on retinal vascular permeability indiabetic rats. Rats were made diabetic by administration ofstreptozotocin, and were left untreated for 45 days. From Day 45 throughDay 87, Control (open bars) and Diabetic rats were treated with solvent(shaded bars) or Compound 62 at 25 mg/kg (horizontal-hatched bars) or 75mg/kg (cross-hatched bars). On Day 87, retinal leakage in each animalwas measured. Values represent the mean±sd for 3-5 rats per group.

FIG. 5. Inhibition of TNFα-induced activation of NFκB by Compound 62.Fibroblasts transfected with a TNFα-responsive promoter linked toluciferase were treated with the indicated concentrations of Compound 62and then treated with TNFα for 6 hours. The amount of luciferaseexpressed by the cells was then measured by luminescence. Valuesrepresent the mean±sd luciferase activity in triplicate samples in atypical experiment.

FIG. 6. Inhibition of TNFα-induced Cox-2 activity by Compound 62. RatIEC6 cells (Panel A) or human endothelial cells (Panel B) were incubatedfor 18 hours with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent control, or 100ng of TNFα/mL in the presence of DMSO or 10 μg/mL of Compound 62. Levelsof PGE₂ secreted into the medium were quantified by ELISA. Valuesrepresent the mean±sd for triplicate samples in a typical experiment.

FIG. 7. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on the DAI in the acuteDSS-colitis model. C57BL/6 mice were treated for 6 days as follows:normal drinking water and daily oral administration of PEG (No DSS), 2%DSS in the drinking water and daily oral administration of PEG (DSSalone); 2% DSS in the drinking water and daily oral administration of 50mg/kg Compound 62 in PEG (DSS+Compound 62), or 2% DSS in the drinkingwater and daily oral administration of 50 mg/kg Dipentum in PEG(DSS+Dipentum). On the indicated day, the Disease Activity Index wascalculated for each group. Values represent the mean±sd for 5-6 mice pergroup.

FIG. 8. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on colon length in the acuteDSS-colitis model. Mice from the experiment described in FIG. 7 weresacrificed on Day 6, and the colon was harvested from each animal andmeasured. Data represent the mean±sd colon length.

FIG. 9. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on the colon Histology Scorein the acute DSS-colitis model. Mice from the experiment described inFIG. 7 were sacrificed on Day 6, and the colon was harvested from eachanimal and the Histology Score was determined. Values represent themean±sd for 5-6 mice per group.

FIG. 10. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on neutrophil infiltrationinto the colon in the acute DSS-colitis model. Myeloperoxidase activityfrom the colons of the animals described in FIG. 7 was measured. Valuesthe mean±sd MPO activity in units per gram of tissue.

FIG. 11. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on colonic cytokine levelsin the acute DSS-colitis model. Colon samples from mice described inFIG. 7 were extracted and assayed for the levels of the indicatedcytokines. Values represent the mean±sd amount of each cytokine in 4-5samples per group.

FIG. 12. Effects of Compound 62 on S1P levels in the colons of theanimals in the DSS-colitis model. Colon samples from mice described inFIG. 7 were extracted and assayed for the levels of S1P by LC/MS/MS.Values represent the mean±sd for 4-5 samples per group.

FIG. 13. Effects of Compound 62 on the DAI in the chronic DSS-colitismodel. Mice received 2 cycles (7 days per cycle) of DSS (1.5% cycle 1and 1% cycle 2), 2 cycles of normal drinking water and were randomizedby DAI on Day 28 into groups of 8 mice. The mice were then treated asfollows: No DSS (▪)—normal drinking water and orally dosed with PEG400every day for 7 days (water control); DSS alone (▴)—drinking watercontaining 1.5% DSS and orally dosed with PEG daily for 7 days;DSS+Compound 62 (▾)—drinking water containing 1.5% DSS and orally dosedwith Compound 62 (50 mg/kg) every day for 7 days; DSS+Dipentum(♦)—drinking water containing 1.5% DSS and orally dosed with Dipentum(50 mg/kg). *p<0.001 versus No DSS group.

FIG. 14. Effects of Compound 62 on S1P levels in the colons of theanimals in the chronic DSS-colitis model. Colon samples from micedescribed in FIG. 13 were extracted and assayed for the levels of S1P byLC/MS/MS. Values represent the mean±sd for 8 samples per group; *p<0.05versus No DSS group.

FIG. 15. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on colonic cytokine levelsin the chronic DSS-colitis model. Colon samples from mice described inFIG. 13 were extracted, and assayed for the levels of the indicatedcytokines. Values represent the mean±sd amount in 8 samples per group.

FIG. 16. Effects of Compound 62 and Dipentum on serum cytokine levels inthe chronic DSS-colitis model. Serum from mice described in FIG. 13 wasassayed for the levels of the indicated cytokines. Values represent themean±sd amount in 8 samples per group.

FIG. 17. Effects of Compound 62 on disease progression in the CIA modelin mice. Female DBA/1 mice were injected with collagen, boosted after 3weeks and then monitored for symptoms of arthritis. Upon diseasemanifestation, groups of mice were treated for 12 days as follows: (▴)Compound 62 (100 mg/kg given orally each day for 6 days per week); or(▪) vehicle (PEG400 given under the same schedule). On the indicated Dayof treatment, the average clinical score (A) and the average hind pawdiameter (B) was determined. *p≦0.05 versus PEG400 alone group.

FIG. 18. Effects of Compound 62 on disease progression in theadjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. Male Lewis rats were injectedsubcutaneously with Mycobacterium butyricum, and symptoms of immunereactivity were present after 2 weeks. Responsive rats were randomizedinto treatment groups (n=8 per group), and received oral daily doses of:solvent alone (0.375% Tween-80); 100 mg/kg Compound 62 (ABC294640); 35mg/kg Compound 62; or 5 mg/kg Compound 62, or intraperitoneal injectionsof indomethacin (5 mg/kg) every other day. The severity of disease ineach animal was quantified by measurement of the hind paw thickness.Panel A. Time course of hind paw arthritic response. Panel B. Final day(Day 10) hind paw thickness measurements. Panel C. Change in pawthickness of respective group versus non-arthritic rats (naive) at Day10. *, p<0.05; ***, p<0.001 versus solvent alone group.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

All patents and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporatedby reference for all purposes.

Unless the substituents for a particular formula are expressly definedfor that formula, they are understood to carry the definitions set forthin connection with the preceding formula to which the particular formulamakes reference.

As noted above, the invention provides compounds of formula J:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein

L is a bond or is —C(R₃,R₄)—;

X is —C(R₃,R₄)N(R₅)—, —C(O)N(R₄)—, —N(R₄)C(O)—, —C(R₄,R₅)—, —N(R₄)—,—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂N(R₄)— or —N(R₄)S(O)₂—;

R₁ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

R₂ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl, alkyl-5-alkyl, -heteroaryl-aryl,-alkyl-heteroaryl-aryl, —C(O)—NH-aryl, -alkenyl-heteroaryl,—C(O)-heteroaryl, or -alkenyl-heteroaryl-aryl;

R₃ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, oxo(═O), —COOH, —OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl),—OC(O)alkyl, carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono ordialkylcarbamoyl, mono or dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- ordialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl, or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

wherein the alkyl and ring portion of each of the above R₁, R₂, and R₃groups is optionally substituted with up to 5 groups that areindependently (C₁-C₆) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C₁-C₆ alkyl),—C(O)O(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)R″, —CF₃, —OCF₃,—OH, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO₂H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″,—SO₂R′, —NO₂, or NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent is optionallyfurther substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, CN, OH, NH₂; and

R₄ and R₅ are independently H or alkyl, provided that when R₃ and R₄ areon the same carbon, and R₃ is oxo, then R₄ is absent.

Preferred compounds of formula I include compounds wherein L is a bond.

Preferred compounds of formula I also include compounds wherein L is abond and X is —C(R₃R₄)—. More preferably, R₃ and R₄ form an oxo (═O)group.

Preferred compounds of formula I also include compounds R₁ is H.

Preferred compounds of formula I also include compounds wherein R₁ isoptionally substituted aryl. Preferably, aryl is phenyl. Alsopreferably, phenyl is unsubstituted or is substituted with halogen.Preferred halogen substituents are Cl and F.

Preferred compounds of formula I further include compounds wherein R₂ isOH. Preferred compounds of formula I further include compounds whereinR₂ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, more preferably C₁-C₃ alkyl, and even morepreferably, CH₃.

Preferred compounds of formula I further include compounds wherein R₂ isalkenylaryl. Preferably, the aryl portion of alkenylaryl is phenyl ornaphthyl, optionally substituted with 1 or 2 of halogen, cyano, orhydroxy.

Preferred compounds of formula I further include compounds wherein R₂ is-alkenyl-heteroaryl.

Preferred compounds of formula I further include compounds wherein R₂ is-alkenyl-heteroaryl-aryl.

Preferred compounds of formula I include compounds of formula I-1:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:

R₁ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl; and

R₂ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl, alkyl-5-alkyl, -heteroaryl-aryl,-alkyl-heteroaryl-aryl, —NH-aryl, -alkenyl-heteroaryl, -heteroaryl,—NH-alkyl, —NH-cycloalkyl, or -alkenyl-heteroaryl-aryl,

wherein the alkyl and ring portion of each of the above R₁, and R₂groups is optionally substituted with up to 5 groups that areindependently (C₁-C₆) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C₁-C₆ alkyl),—C(O)O(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)R″, —CF₃, —OCF₃,—OH, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO₂H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″,—SO₂R′, —NO₂, or NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent is optionallyfurther substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, CN, OH, NH₂

Preferred compounds of the formula I include those of formula II:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:

Y is —C(R₄,R₅)—, —N(R₄)—, —O—, or —C(O)—;

R₁ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

R₂ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl, alkyl-5-alkyl, -heteroaryl-aryl,-alkyl-heteroaryl-aryl, —C(O)—NH-aryl, -alkenyl-heteroaryl,—C(O)-heteroaryl, or -alkenyl-heteroaryl-aryl;

R₃ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, oxo(═O), —COOH, —OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl),—OC(O)alkyl, carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono ordialkylcarbamoyl, mono or dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- ordialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl, or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

wherein the alkyl and ring portion of each of the above R₁, R₂, and R₃groups is optionally substituted with up to 5 groups that areindependently (C₁-C₆) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C₁-C₆ alkyl),—C(O)O(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)R″, —CF₃, —OCF₃,—OH, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO₂H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″,—SO₂R′, —NO₂, or NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent is optionallyfurther substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, CN, OH, NH₂; and

R₄ and R₅ are independently H or alkyl.

More preferred compounds of the formula II include those wherein:

Y is —C(R₄,R₅)— or —N(R₄)—;

R₁ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,or mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl;

R₂ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,alkylheteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aroyl,halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkanoyl, —COOH,—OH, —SH, —S-alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —NH₂, —CO₂(alkyl), —OC(O)alkyl,carbamoyl, mono or dialkylaminocarbamoyl, mono or dialkylcarbamoyl, monoor dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl, thiocarbamoyl,mono or dialkylthiocarbamoyl, alkyl-5-alkyl, -heteroaryl-aryl,-alkyl-heteroaryl-aryl, —C(O)—NH-aryl, -alkenyl-heteroaryl,—C(O)-heteroaryl, or -alkenyl-heteroaryl-aryl;

wherein the alkyl and ring portion of each of the above R₁ and R₂ groupsis optionally substituted with up to 5 groups that are independently(C₁-C₆) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —C(O)O(C₁-C₆alkyl), —CONR₄R₅, —OC(O)NR₄R₅, —NR₄C(O)R₅, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OH, C₁-C₆alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO₂H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR₄R₅, —SO₂R₄R₅,—NO₂, or NR₄R₅, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent isoptionally further substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independentlyselected from halogen, CN, OH, NH₂;

R₃ is H, alkyl, or oxo (═O); and

R₄ and R₅ are independently H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl.

More preferred compounds of the formula II include those wherein Y is—NH—.

Preferred compounds of formula II include those wherein R₃ is oxo.

Preferred compounds of formula II include those wherein R₃ is methyl.

Preferred compounds of formula II also include those wherein R₁ is H.

Preferred compounds of formula II further include those wherein R₁ isoptionally substituted aryl. Preferably, the aryl is phenyl, eitherunsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 halogen groups. Preferably,halogen is chloro or fluoro.

Preferred compounds of formula II also include compounds wherein R₂ isalkyl or cycloalkyl.

Preferred compounds of formula II also include compounds wherein R₂ isaryl or -alkylaryl. Preferred aryl in either group is phenyl. Preferredalkyl in alkylaryl is C₁-C₃ alkyl, either straight chain or branched.The aryl groups may be unsubstituted or substituted. Preferredsubstituents include 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (preferably 1 or 2) groupsindependently chosen from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, cyanoalkyl,aminoalkyl, thioalkoxy, trifluoromethyl, haloalkoxy, aryloxy, andalkoxy.

Preferred compounds of formula II also include compounds wherein R₂ isheterocycloalkyl or -alkyl-heterocycloalkyl. Preferred heterocycloalkylin either group is piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, andmorpholinyl. The heterocycloalkyl groups may be unsubstituted orsubstituted. Preferred substituents include 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (preferably1 or 2) groups independently chosen from halogen, hydroxy, alkyl,cyanoalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkoxy, trifluoromethyl, haloalkoxy,aryloxy, oxo, and alkoxy.

Preferred compounds of formula II also include compounds wherein R₂ isheteroaryl or -alkyl-heteroaryl. Preferred heteroaryl in either group ispyridinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, carbazolyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl,benzooxazolyl, purinyl, and thienyl. The heteroaryl groups may beunsubstituted or substituted. Preferred substituents include 1, 2, 3, 4,or 5 (preferably 1 or 2) groups independently chosen from halogen,hydroxy, alkyl, cyanoalkyl, aminoalkyl, thioalkoxy, trifluoromethyl,haloalkoxy, aryloxy, and alkoxy.

The invention also provides methods for treating a patient who has, orin preventing a patient from getting, a disease or condition selectedfrom the group consisting of a hyperproliferative disease, aninflammatory disease, or an angiogenic disease, which includesadministration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound offormula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, oradministration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound offormula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a patientin need of such treatment or prevention.

One preferred hyperproliferative disease which the compounds of theinvention are useful in treating or preventing is cancer, including asnon-limiting examples thereof solid tumors such as head and neckcancers, lung cancers, gastrointestinal tract cancers, breast cancers,gynecologic cancers, testicular cancers, urinary tract cancers,neurological cancers, endocrine cancers, skin cancers, sarcomas,mediastinal cancers, retroperitoneal cancers, cardiovascular cancers,mastocytosis, carcinosarcomas, cylindroma, dental cancers,esthesioneuroblastoma, urachal cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma andparagangliomas, and hematopoietic cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma,non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic leukemias, acute leukemias,myeloproliferative cancers, plasma cell dyscrasias, and myelodysplasticsyndromes. The foregoing list is by way of example, and is not intendedto be exhaustive or limiting.

Other preferred diseases which can be treated or prevented with thecompounds of the invention include inflammatory diseases, such as interalia inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, atherosclerosis, asthma,allergy, inflammatory kidney disease, circulatory shock, multiplesclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, skin inflammation,periodontal disease, psoriasis and T cell-mediated diseases of immunity,including allergic encephalomyelitis, allergic neuritis, transplantallograft rejection, graft versus host disease, myocarditis,thyroiditis, nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, andinsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Other preferred diseases which can be treated or prevented with thecompounds of the invention include angiogenic diseases, such as diabeticretinopathy, arthritis, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, hemangiomas,myocardial angiogenesis, atherscelortic plaque neovascularization, andocular angiogenic diseases such as choroidal neovascularization,retinopathy of prematurity (retrolental fibroplasias), maculardegeneration, corneal graft rejection, rubeosis, neuroscular glacoma andOster Webber syndrome.

The invention further provides a process for preparing sphingosinekinase inhibitors. In one embodiment, the process comprises contacting aprecursor compound having the formula:

with a compound having the formula: H₂N—R₂ under conditions sufficientto produce compounds having the formula:

wherein:

R₁ and R₂ are as defined above.

The process further comprises reducing an adamantlyamide, as shownabove, to an adamantylamine by contact with Zn(BH₄)₂.

In another embodiment, the process for the preparation of sphingosinekinase inhibitors comprises contacting a precursor compound having theformula:

with a compound having the formula: R₂—Br or R₂C(O)Cl under conditionssufficient to produce compounds having the formula:

wherein:

R₁, R₂ and R₃ are as defined earlier.

In a further embodiment, the process comprises contacting a precursorcompound having the formula:

with a compound having the formula: H₂N—R₂ or R₂C(O)H under conditionssufficient to produce compounds having the formula:

wherein:

R₁, R₂ and R₃ are as defined earlier.

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions that include acompound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, ora compound of formula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,as active ingredient, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier, medium, or auxiliary agent.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be preparedin various forms for administration, including tablets, caplets, pillsor dragees, or can be filled in suitable containers, such as capsules,or, in the case of suspensions, filled into bottles. As used herein“pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium” includes any and allsolvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle; dispersion or suspensionaids; surface active agents; preservatives; solid binders; lubricantsand the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Variousvehicles and carriers used in formulating pharmaceutical compositionsand known techniques for the preparation thereof are disclosed inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Osol et al eds., 15th ed., MackPublishing Co.: Easton, Pa., 1975). Except insofar as any conventionalcarrier medium is incompatible with the chemical compounds of thepresent invention, such as by producing any undesirable biologicaleffect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any othercomponent of the pharmaceutical composition, the use of the carriermedium is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.

In the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, the activeagent may be present in an amount of at least 1% and not more than 99%by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, includingcarrier medium or auxiliary agents. Preferably, the proportion of activeagent varies between 1% to 70% by weight of the composition.Pharmaceutical organic or inorganic solid or liquid carrier mediasuitable for enteral or parenteral administration can be used to make upthe composition. Gelatin, lactose, starch, magnesium, stearate, talc,vegetable and animal fats and oils, gum polyalkylene glycol, or otherknown excipients or diluents for medicaments may all be suitable ascarrier media.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may beadministered using any amount and any route of administration effectivefor treating a patient who has, or in preventing a patient from getting,a disease or condition selected from the group consisting of ahyperproliferative disease, an inflammatory disease, and an angiogenicdisease. Thus the expression “therapeutically effective amount,” as usedherein, refers to a sufficient amount of the active agent to provide thedesired effect against target cells. The exact amount required will varyfrom subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and generalcondition of the subject; the particular SK inhibitor; its mode ofadministration; and the like.

The pharmaceutical compounds of the present invention are preferablyformulated in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformityof dosage. “Unit dosage form,” as used herein, refers to a physicallydiscrete unit of therapeutic agent appropriate for the animal to betreated. Each dosage should contain the quantity of active materialcalculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect either as such, orin association with the selected pharmaceutical carrier medium.Typically, the pharmaceutical composition will be administered in dosageunits containing from about 0.1 mg to about 10,000 mg of the agent, witha range of about 1 mg to about 1000 mg being preferred.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may beadministered orally or parentally, such as by intramuscular injection,intraperitoneal injection, or intravenous infusion. The pharmaceuticalcompositions may be administered orally or parenterally at dosage levelsof about 0.1 to about 1000 mg/kg, and preferably from about 1 to about100 mg/kg, of animal body weight per day, one or more times a day, toobtain the desired therapeutic effect.

Although the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can beadministered to any subject that can benefit from the therapeuticeffects of the compositions, the compositions are intended particularlyfor the treatment of diseases in humans.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention will typicallybe administered from 1 to 4 times a day, so as to deliver the dailydosage as described herein. Alternatively, dosages within these rangescan be administered by constant infusion over an extended period oftime, usually 1 to 96 hours, until the desired therapeutic benefits havebeen obtained. However, the exact regimen for administration of thechemical compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described herein willnecessarily be dependent on the needs of the animal being treated, thetype of treatments being administered, and the judgment of the attendingphysician.

In certain situations, the compounds of this invention may contain oneor more asymmetric carbon atoms, so that the compounds can exist indifferent stereoisomeric forms. These compounds can be, for example,racemates, chiral non-racemic or diastereomers. In these situations, thesingle enantiomers, i.e., optically active forms, can be obtained byasymmetric synthesis or by resolution of the racemates. Resolution ofthe racemates can be accomplished, for example, by conventional methodssuch as crystallization in the presence of a resolving agent;chromatography, using, for example a chiral HPLC column; or derivatizingthe racemic mixture with a resolving reagent to generate diastereomers,separating the diastereomers via chromatography, and removing theresolving agent to generate the original compound in enantiomericallyenriched form. Any of the above procedures can be repeated to increasethe enantiomeric purity of a compound.

When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds orother centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless otherwise specified, itis intended that the compounds include the cis, trans, Z- andE-configurations. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to beincluded.

Non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to salts of inorganicacids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, diphosphoric,hydrobromic, and nitric or salts of organic acids such as formic,citric, malic, maleic, fumaric, tartaric, succinic, acetic, lactic,methanesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, 2-hydroxyethylsulfonic, salicylicand stearic. Similarly, pharmaceutically acceptable cations include, butare not limited to sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum, lithium andammonium. Those skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety ofnon-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts. The invention alsoencompasses prodrugs of the compounds of the present invention.

The invention also encompasses prodrugs of the compounds of the presentinvention. Those skilled in the art will recognize various syntheticmethodologies, which may be employed to prepare non-toxicpharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and prodrugs of the compoundsencompassed by the present invention.

The invention provides compounds of formula I and II which areinhibitors of SK, and which are useful for modulating the sphingomyelinsignal transduction pathway, and in treating and preventinghyperproliferative diseases, inflammatory diseases, and angiogenicdiseases. The compounds of the invention can be prepared by one skilledin the art based only on knowledge of the compound's chemical structure.The chemistry for the preparation of the compounds of this invention isknown to those skilled in the art. In fact, there is more than oneprocess to prepare the compounds of the invention. Specific examples ofmethods of preparation can be found herein and in the art.

As discussed above, sphingolipids are critically important in regulatingthe balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis.Sphingosine-1-phosphate is produced by the enzyme SK and stimulates theproliferation of tumor cells. Concurrent depletion of ceramide by theaction of SK blocks apoptosis. The compounds of the invention areinhibitors of human SK. Therefore, inhibition of SK activity accordingto the invention will attenuate tumor cell proliferation and promoteapoptosis. Therefore, the compounds of the invention are useful asanticancer agents. Furthermore, since cell hyperproliferation is arequired process in the development of atherosclerosis and psoriasis,the compounds of the invention, which are SK inhibitors, are useful inthe treatment of these, and other, hyperproliferative diseases.Additionally, inappropriate activation and/or proliferation of specificclasses of lymphocytes results in chronic inflammatory and autoimmunediseases. Consequently, compounds of the invention are also useful inthe treatment of these diseases. Additionally, inappropriateangiogenesis results in a variety of diseases, as described below.Consequently, compounds of the invention are also useful in thetreatment of these diseases.

DEFINITIONS

The definitions and explanations below are for the terms as usedthroughout this entire document, including both the specification andthe claims.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture oftwo or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term “or” isgenerally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

The symbol “—” in general represents a bond between two atoms in thechain. Thus CH₃—O—CH₂—CH(R_(i))—CH₃ represents a2-substituted-1-methoxypropane compound. In addition, the symbol “—”represents the point of attachment of the substituent to a compound.Thus for example aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl-indicates an alkylaryl group, such asbenzyl, attached to the compound at the alkyl moiety.

Where multiple substituents are indicated as being attached to astructure, it is to be understood that the substituents can be the sameor different. Thus for example “R_(m) optionally substituted with 1, 2or 3 R_(q) groups” indicates that R_(m) is substituted with 1, 2, or 3R_(q) groups where the R_(q) groups can be the same or different.

The phrase “optionally substituted” is used interchangeably with thephrase “substituted or unsubstituted”. Unless otherwise indicated, anoptionally substituted group may have a substituent at eachsubstitutable position of the group, and each substituent is independentof the other.

As used herein, the terms “halogen” or “halo” indicate fluorine,chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

The term “heteroatom” means nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur and includes anyoxidized form of nitrogen and sulfur, and the quaternized form of anybasic nitrogen. Also the term “nitrogen” includes a substitutablenitrogen in a heterocyclic ring. As an example, in a saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-3 heteroatoms selected fromnitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, the nitrogen may be N (as in3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) or NR⁺ (as inN-substituted pyrrolidinyl).

The term “alkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a larger moiety,refers to a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon including straight chain,branched chain or cyclic (also called “cycloalkyl”) groups. Examples ofalkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, iso-, sec-and tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, 3-ethylbutyl, and the like.Preferably, the alkyl group has 1 to 20 carbon atoms (whenever anumerical range, e.g. “1-20”, is stated herein, it means that the group,in this case the alkyl group, may contain 1 carbon atom, 2 carbon atoms,3 carbon atoms, etc. up to and including 20 carbon atoms). Morepreferably, it is a medium size alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Mostpreferably, it is a lower alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Thecycloalkyl can be monocyclic, or a polycyclic fused system. Examples ofcycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, and adamantyl. The alkyl orcycloalkyl group may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 ormore substituents. Examples of such substituents including, withoutlimitation, halo, hydroxy, amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino,cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, arylalkyloxy, heterocyclic radical, and(heterocyclic radical)oxy. Examples include fluoromethyl, hydroxyethyl,2,3-dihydroxyethyl, (2- or 3-furanyl)methyl, cyclopropylmethyl,benzyloxyethyl, (3-pyridinyl)methyl, (2-thienyl)ethyl, hyroxypropyl,aminocyclohexyl, 2-dimethylaminobutyl, methoxymethyl, N-pyridinylethyl,and diethylaminoethyl.

The term “cycloalkylalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a largermoiety, refers to a C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl group attached to the parentmolecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined above. Examples ofcycloalkylalkyl groups include cyclopropylmethyl and cyclopentylethyl.

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a larger moiety,refers to an aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least one carbon-carbondouble bond, including straight chain, branched chain or cyclic groupshaving at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Preferably, the alkenylgroup has 2 to 20 carbon atoms. More preferably, it is a medium sizealkenyl having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Most preferably, it is a loweralkenyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. The alkenyl group may beunsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or more substituents. Examplesof such substituents including, without limitation halo, hydroxy, amino,alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy,arylalkyloxy, heterocyclic radical, and (heterocyclic radical)oxy.Depending on the placement of the double bond and substituents, if any,the geometry of the double bond may be entgegen (E) or zusammen (Z),cis, or trans. Examples of alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl,cis-2-butenyl, trans-2-butenyl, and 2-hydroxy-2-propenyl.

The term “alkynyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a larger moiety,refers to an aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least one carbon-carbontriple bond, including straight chain, branched chain or cyclic groupshaving at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Preferably, the alkynylgroup has 2 to 20 carbon atoms. More preferably, it is a medium sizealkynyl having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Most preferably, it is a loweralkynyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. The alkynyl group may beunsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or more substituents. Examplesof such substituents including, without limitation, halo, hydroxy,amino, alkoxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy,arylalkyloxy, heterocyclic radical, and (heterocyclic radical)oxy.Examples of alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, 2-butynyl, and2-hydroxy-3-butynyl.

The term “alkoxy”, as used herein alone or as part of a larger moiety,represents an alkyl group of indicated number of carbon atoms attachedto the parent molecular moiety through an oxygen bridge. Examples ofalkoxy groups include, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy andisopropoxy. Alkoxy radicals may be further substituted with one or morehalo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide “haloalkoxy”radicals. Examples of such radicals include fluoromethoxy,chloromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and fluoroethoxy.

The term “aryl”, as used herein alone or as part of a larger moiety,refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring system containing at least onearomatic ring. The aromatic ring may optionally be fused or otherwiseattached to other aromatic hydrocarbon rings or non-aromatic hydrocarbonrings. Additionally, the aryl group may be substituted or unsubstitutedby various groups such as hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkyl, haloalkyl,alkoxy, nitro, cyano, alkylamine, carboxy or alkoxycarbonyl. Examples ofaryl groups include, for example, phenyl, naphthyl,1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, benzodioxole, and biphenyl. Preferredexamples of unsubstituted aryl groups include phenyl and biphenyl.Preferred aryl group substituents include hydrogen, halo, alkyl,haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy.

The term “heteroalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a largermoiety, refers to an alkyl radical as defined herein with one or moreheteroatoms replacing a carbon atom with the moiety. Such heteroalkylgroups are alternately referred to using the terms ether, thioether,amine, and the like.

The term “heterocyclyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a largermoiety, refers to saturated, partially unsaturated and unsaturatedheteroatom-containing ring shaped radicals, where the heteroatoms may beselected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Said heterocyclyl groups maybe unsubstituted or substituted at one or more atoms within the ringsystem. The heterocyclic ring may contain one or more oxo groups.

The term “heterocycloalkyl”, as used herein alone or as part of a largermoiety, refers to a non-aromatic ring system containing at least oneheteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Theheterocycloalkyl ring may be optionally fused to or otherwise attachedto other heterocycloalkyl rings and/or non-aromatic hydrocarbon rings.Preferred heterocycloalkyl groups have from 3 to 7 members. Examples ofheterocycloalkyl groups include, for example, piperazine, morpholine,piperidine, tetrahydrofuran, pyrrolidine, and pyrazole. Preferredmonocyclic heterocycloalkyl groups include piperidyl, piperazinyl,morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl,1,3-dioxolanyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl,tetrahydrothiopyranyl, and the like. Heterocycloalkyl radicals may alsobe partially unsaturated. Examples of such groups includedihydrothienyl, dihydropyranyl, dihydrofuryl, and dihydrothiazolyl.

The term “heteroaryl”, as used herein alone or as part of a largermoiety, refers to an aromatic ring system containing at least oneheteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. The heteroarylring may be fused or otherwise attached to one or more heteroaryl rings,aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon rings or heterocycloalkyl rings.Additionally, the heteroaryl group may be unsubstituted or substitutedat one or more atoms of the ring system, or may contain one or more oxogroups. Examples of heteroaryl groups include, for example, pyridine,furan, thiophene, carbazole and pyrimidine. Preferred examples ofheteroaryl groups include thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl,pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl,thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isothiazolyl,benzisothiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrazolyl,benzopyrazolyl, purinyl, benzooxazolyl, and carbazolyl.

The term “acyl” means an H—C(O)— or alkyl-C(O)— group in which the alkylgroup, straight chain, branched or cyclic, is as previously described.Exemplary acyl groups include formyl, acetyl, propanoyl,2-methylpropanoyl, butanoyl, and caproyl.

The term “aroyl” means an aryl-C(O)— group in which the aryl group is aspreviously described. Exemplary aroyl groups include benzoyl and 1- and2-naphthoyl.

The term “solvate” means a physical association of a compound of thisinvention with one or more solvent molecules. This physical associationinvolves varying degrees of ionic and covalent bonding, includinghydrogen bonding. In certain instances, the solvate will be capable ofisolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules areincorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. “Solvate”encompasses both solution-phase and isolatable solvates. Exemplarysolvates include ethanolates, methanolates, and the like. “Hydrate” is asolvate wherein the solvent molecule(s) is/are H₂O.

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the natureor sequence of bonding of their atoms or arrangement of their atoms inspace are termed “isomers”. Isomers that differ in the arrangement oftheir atoms in space are termed “stereoisomers”. Stereoisomers that arenot mirror images of one another are termed “diastereomers” and thosethat are non-superimposable mirror images of each other are termed“enantiomers”. When a compound has an asymmetric center, for example, acarbon atom that is bonded to four different groups, a pair ofenantiomers is possible. An enantiomer can be characterized by theabsolute configuration of its asymmetric center and is described by theR- and S-sequencing rules of Cahn and Prelog, which are well known tothose in the art. Additionally, entiomers can be characterized by themanner in which a solution of the compound rotates a plane of polarizedlight and designated as dextrorotatory or levorotatory (i.e. as (+) or(−) isomers respectively). A chiral compound can exist as eitherindividual enantiomer or as a mixture thereof. A mixture containingequal proportions of the enantiomers is called a “racemic mixture”.

The compounds of this invention may possess one or more asymmetriccenters; such compounds can therefore be produced as individual (R)- or(S)-stereoisomers or as mixtures thereof. Unless otherwise indicated,the specification and claims is intended to include both individualenantiomers as well as mixtures, racemic or otherwise, thereof.

Certain compounds of this invention may exhibit the phenomena oftautomerism and/or structural isomerism. For example, certain compoundsdescribed herein may adopt an E or a Z configuration about acarbon-carbon double bond or they may be a mixture of E and Z. Thisinvention encompasses any tautomeric or structural isomeric form andmixtures thereof.

Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant toinclude compounds that differ only in the presence of one or moreisotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds having the presentstructures except for the replacement of a hydrogen by a deuterium ortritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a ¹³C— or ¹⁴C-enriched carbonare within the scope of this invention. Such compounds are useful, forexample, as analytical tools or probes in biologic assays.

As used herein, “SK-related disorder”, “SK-driven disorder”, and“abnormal SK activity” all refer to a condition characterized byinappropriate, i.e., under or, more commonly, over, SK catalyticactivity. Inappropriate catalytic activity can arise as the result ofeither: (1) SK expression in cells that normally do not express SK, (2)increased SK catalytic activity leading to unwanted cellular process,such as, without limitation, cell proliferation, gene regulation,resistance to apoptosis, and/or differentiation. Such changes in SKexpression may occur by increased expression of SK and/or mutation of SKsuch that its catalytic activity is enhanced, (3) decreased SK catalyticactivity leading to unwanted reductions in cellular processes. Someexamples of SK-related disorders, without limitation, are describedelsewhere in this application.

The term “method” refers to manners, means, techniques and proceduresfor accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, thosemanners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readilydeveloped from known manners, means, techniques and procedures bypractitioners of the chemical, pharmaceutical, biological, biochemicaland medical arts.

The term “modulation” or “modulating” refers to the alteration of thecatalytic activity of SK. In particular, modulating refers to theactivation or, preferably, inhibition of SK catalytic activity,depending on the concentration of the compound or salt to which SK isexposed.

The term “catalytic activity” as used herein refers to the rate ofphosphorylation of sphingosine under the influence of SK.

The term “contacting” as used herein refers to bringing a compound ofthis invention and SK together in such a manner that the compound canaffect the catalytic activity of SK, either directly, i.e., byinteracting with SK itself, or indirectly, i.e., by altering theintracellular localization of SK. Such “contacting” can be accomplishedin vitro, i.e. in a test tube, a Petri dish or the like. In a test tube,contacting may involve only a compound and SK or it may involve wholecells. Cells may also be maintained or grown in cell culture dishes andcontacted with a compound in that environment. In this context, theability of a particular compound to affect an SK-related disorder can bedetermined before the use of the compounds in vivo with more complexliving organisms is attempted. For cells outside the organism, multiplemethods exist, and are well-known to those skilled in the art, to allowcontact of the compounds with SK including, but not limited to, directcell microinjection and numerous techniques for promoting the movementof compounds across a biological membrane.

The term “in vitro” as used herein refers to procedures performed in anartificial environment, such as for example, without limitation, in atest tube or cell culture system. The skilled artisan will understandthat, for example, an isolate SK enzyme may be contacted with amodulator in an in vitro environment. Alternatively, an isolated cellmay be contacted with a modulator in an in vitro environment.

The term “in vivo” as used herein refers to procedures performed withina living organism such as, without limitation, a human, mouse, rat,rabbit, bovine, equine, porcine, canine, feline, or primate.

The term “IC₅₀” or “50% inhibitory concentration” as used herein refersto the concentration of a compound that reduces a biological process by50%. These processes can include, but are not limited to, enzymaticreactions, i.e. inhibition of SK catalytic activity, or cellularproperties, i.e. cell proliferation, apoptosis or cellular production ofS1P.

As used herein, “administer” or “administration” refers to the deliveryof a compound or salt of the present invention or of a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing a compound or salt of this invention to anorganism for the purpose of prevention or treatment of an SK-relateddisorder.

As used herein, the terms “prevent”, “preventing” and “prevention” referto a method for barring an organism from acquiring an SK-relateddisorder.

As used herein, the terms “treat”, “treating” and “treatment” refer to amethod of alleviating or abrogating an SK-mediated disorder and/or itsattendant symptoms.

The term “organism” refers to any living entity comprised of at leastone cell. A living organism can be as simple as, for example, a singleeukaryotic cell or as complex as a mammal. In a preferred aspect of thisinvention, the organism is a mammal. In a particularly preferred aspectof this invention, the mammal is a human being.

A “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a mixture of one or more of thecompounds described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, with other chemical components, such as physiologicallyacceptable carriers and excipients. The purpose of a pharmaceuticalcomposition is to facilitate administration of a compound to anorganism.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to those salts thatretain the biological effectiveness of the parent compound. Such saltsinclude: (1) acid addition salt which is obtained by reaction of thefree base of the parent compound with inorganic acids such ashydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid,sulfuric acid, and perchloric acid and the like, or with organic acidssuch as acetic acid, oxalic acid, (D) or (L) malic acid, maleic acid,methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,salicylic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid, or malonicacid and the like, preferably hydrochloric acid or (L)-malic acid; or(2) salts formed when an acidic proton present in the parent compoundeither is replaced by a metal ion, e.g. an alkali metal ion, an alkalineearth ion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with an organic base suchas ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine,N-methylglucamine, and the like.

As used herein, the term a “physiologically acceptable carrier” refersto a carrier or diluent that does not cause significant irritation to anorganism and does not abrogate the biological activity and properties ofthe administered compound. Typically, this includes those propertiesand/or substances that are acceptable to the patient from apharmacological/toxicological point of view and to the manufacturingpharmaceutical chemist from a physical/chemical point of view regardingcomposition, formulation, stability, patient acceptance andbioavailability.

An “excipient” refers to an inert substance added to a pharmaceuticalcomposition to further facilitate administration of a compound. Example,without limitations, of excipients include calcium carbonate, calciumphosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulose derivatives(including microcrystalline cellulose), gelatin, vegetable oils,polyethylene glycols, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders,disintegrating agents, and the like.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein refers tothat amount of the compound being administered that is effective toreduce or lessen at least one symptom of the disease being treated or toreduce or delay onset of one or more clinical markers or symptoms of thedisease. In reference to the treatment of cancer, a therapeuticallyeffective amount refers to that amount that has the effect of: (1)reducing the size of the tumor, (2) inhibiting, i.e. slowing to someextent, preferably stopping, tumor metastasis, (3) inhibiting, i.e.slowing to some extent, preferably stopping, tumor growth, and/or (4)relieving to some extent, preferably eliminating, one or more symptomsassociated with the cancer.

The compounds of this invention may also act as a prodrug. The term“prodrug” refers to an agent which is converted into the parent drug invivo. Prodrugs are often useful because, in some situations, they may beeasier to administer than the parent drug. They may, for example, bebioavailable by oral administration whereas the parent drug is not. Theprodrug may also have improved solubility in pharmaceutical compositionsover the parent drug. An example, without limitation, of a prodrug wouldbe a compound of the present invention which is administered as an ester(the “prodrug”), carbamate or urea.

The compounds of this invention may also be metabolized by enzymes inthe body of the organism, such as a human being, to generate ametabolite that can modulate the activity of SK. Such metabolites arewithin the scope of the present invention.

Indications

Sphingosine kinase (SK), whose catalytic activity is modulated by thecompounds and compositions of this invention, is a key enzyme involvedin signaling pathways that are abnormally activated in a variety ofdiseases. The following discussion outlines the roles of SK inhyperproliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic diseases, andconsequently provides examples of uses of the compounds and compositionsof this invention. The use of these compounds and compositions for theprevention and/or treatment of additional diseases in which SK isabnormally activated are also within the scope of the present invention.

Hyperproliferative Diseases.

The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositionsand methods useful for the treatment and/or prevention ofhyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the invention relates tocompounds and pharmaceutical compositions that inhibit the enzymaticactivity of SK for the treatment and/or prevention of hyperproliferativediseases, such as cancer, psoriasis, mesangial cell proliferativedisorders, atherosclerosis and restenosis. The following discussiondemonstrates the role of SK in several of these hyperproliferativediseases. Since the same processes are involved in the above listeddiseases, the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of thisinvention will be useful for the treatment and/or prevention of avariety of diseases.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate and ceramide have opposing effects on cancercell proliferation and apoptosis. Sphingomyelin is not only a buildingblock for cellular membranes but also serves as the precursor for potentlipid messengers that have profound cellular effects. Stimulus-inducedmetabolism of these lipids is critically involved in cancer cellbiology. Consequently, these metabolic pathways offer exciting targetsfor the development of anticancer drugs.

Ceramide is produced by the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin in response togrowth factors or other stimuli. Ceramide induces apoptosis in tumorcells, but can be further hydrolyzed by the action of ceramidase toproduce sphingosine. Sphingosine is then rapidly phosphorylated by SK toproduce S1P, which is a critical second messenger that exertsproliferative and antiapoptotic actions. For example, microinjection ofS1P into mouse oocytes induces DNA synthesis. Additionally, S1Peffectively inhibits ceramide-induced apoptosis in association withdecreased caspase activation. Furthermore, ceramide enhances apoptosisin response to anticancer drugs including Taxol and etoposide. Thesestudies in various cell lines consistently indicate that S1P is able toinduce proliferation and protect cells from ceramide-induced apoptosis.

A critical balance, which may be termed a ceramide/SIP rheostat, hasbeen hypothesized to determine the fate of the cell. In this model, thebalance between the cellular concentrations of ceramide and S1Pdetermines whether a cell proliferates or undergoes apoptosis. Uponexposure to mitogens or intracellular oncoproteins, the cells experiencea rapid increase in the intracellular levels of S1P and depletion ofceramide levels. This situation promotes cell survival andproliferation. In contrast, activation of sphingomyelinase in theabsence of activation of ceramidase and/or SK results in theaccumulation of ceramide and subsequent apoptosis.

SK is the enzyme responsible for S1P production in cells. RNA encodingSK is detected in most tissues. A variety of proliferative factors,including PKC activators, fetal calf serum and platelet-derived growthfactor (Olivera et al., 1993, Nature 365: 557), EGF, and TNFα (Dressleret al., 1992, Science 255: 1715) rapidly elevate cellular SK activity.SK activity is increased by phosphorylation of the enzyme by ERK (Pitsonet al., 2003, EMBO J. 22: 5491), while S1P promotes signaling throughthe Ras-Raf-Mek-Erk pathway, setting up an amplification cascade forcell proliferation.

Sphingosine kinase and S1P play important roles in cancer pathogenesis.An oncogenic role of SK has been demonstrated. In these studies,transfection of SK into NIH/3T3 fibroblasts was sufficient to promotefoci formation and cell growth in soft-agar, and to allow these cells toform tumors in NOD/SCID mice (Xia et al., 2000, Curr Biol 10: 1527).Additionally, inhibition of SK by transfection with a dominant-negativeSK mutant or by treatment of cells with the nonspecific SK inhibitor DMSblocked transformation mediated by oncogenic H-Ras. As abnormalactivation of Ras frequently occurs in cancer, these findings suggest asignificant role of SK in this disease. SK has also been linked toestrogen signaling and estrogen-dependent tumorigenesis in MCF-7 cells(Nava et al., 2002, Exp Cell Res 281: 115). Other pathways or targets towhich SK activity has been linked in hyperproliferative diseases includeVEGF signaling via the Ras and MAP kinase pathway (Shu et al., 2002, MolCell Biol 22: 7758), protein kinase C (Nakade et al., 2003, BiochimBiophys Acta 1635: 104), TNFα (Vann et al., 2002, J Biol Chem 277:12649), hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 and retinoic acid receptor alpha,intracellular calcium and caspase activation. While the elucidation ofdownstream targets of S1P remains an interesting problem in cellbiology, sufficient validation of these pathways has been established tojustify the development of SK inhibitors as new types ofantiproliferative drugs.

Cellular hyperproliferation is a characteristic of a variety ofdiseases, including, without limitation, cancer, psoriasis, mesangialcell proliferative disorders, atherosclerosis and restenosis. Therefore,the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of this inventionwill be useful for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, includingsolid tumors, hematopoietic cancers and tumor metastases. Such cancersmay include, without limitation, solid tumors such as head and neckcancers, lung cancers, gastrointestinal tract cancers, breast cancers,gynecologic cancers, testicular cancers, urinary tract cancers,neurological cancers, endocrine cancers, skin cancers, sarcomas,mediastinal cancers, retroperitoneal cancers, cardiovascular cancers,mastocytosis, carcinosarcomas, cylindroma, dental cancers,esthesioneuroblastoma, urachal cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma andparagangliomas. Additionally, such cancers may include, withoutlimitation, hematopoietic cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkinlymphoma, chronic leukemias, acute leukemias, myeloproliferativecancers, plasma cell dyscrasias, and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Psoriasis is a common chronic disfiguring skin disease that ischaracterized by well-demarcated, red, hardened and scaly plaques thatmay be limited or widespread. While the disease is rarely fatal, it hasserious detrimental effects on the quality of life of the patient, andthis is further complicated by the lack of effective therapies. There istherefore a large unmet need for effective and safe drugs for thiscondition. Psoriasis is characterized by local keratinocytehyperproliferation, T cell-mediated inflammation and by localizedangiogenesis. Abnormal activation of SK has been implicated in all ofthese processes. Therefore, SK inhibitors are expected to be of use inthe therapy of psoriasis.

Mesangial cell hyperproliferative disorders refer to disorders broughtabout by the abnormal hyperproliferation of mesangial cells in thekidney. Mesangial hyperproliferative disorders include various humanrenal diseases such as glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, andmalignant nephrosclerosis, as well as such disorders such as thromboticmicroangiopathy syndromes, transplant rejection, and glomerulopathies.As the hyperproliferation of mesangial cells is induced by growthfactors whose action is dependent on increased signaling through SK, theSK inhibitory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of thisinvention are expected to be of use in the therapy of these mesangialcell hyperproliferative disorders.

In addition to inflammatory processes discussed below, atherosclerosisand restenosis are characterized by hyperproliferation of vascularsmooth muscle cells at the sites of the lesions. As thehyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells is induced by growthfactors whose action is dependent of increased signaling through SK, theSK inhibitory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of thisinvention are expected to be of use in the therapy of these vasculardisorders.

Inflammatory Diseases.

The present invention also relates to compounds, pharmaceuticalcompositions and methods useful for the treatment and/or prevention ofinflammatory diseases. More specifically, the invention relates tocompounds and pharmaceutical compositions that inhibit the enzymaticactivity of SK for the treatment and/or prevention of inflammatorydiseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis,atherosclerosis, asthma, allergy, inflammatory kidney disease,circulatory shock, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease, skin inflammation, periodontal disease, psoriasis and Tcell-mediated diseases of immunity, including allergicencephalomyelitis, allergic neuritis, transplant allograft rejection,graft versus host disease, myocarditis, thyroiditis, nephritis, systemiclupus erthematosus, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Thefollowing discussion demonstrates the role of SK in several of theseinflammatory diseases. Since the same processes are involved in theabove listed diseases, the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions andmethods of this invention will be useful for the treatment and/orprevention of a variety of diseases.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a group of disorderscharacterized by pathological inflammation of the lower intestine.Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the best-known forms of IBD,and both fall into the category of “idiopathic” IBD because theiretiologies remain to be elucidated, although proposed mechanismsimplicate infectious and immunologic mediators. Studies on the etiologyand therapy of IBD have been greatly facilitated by the development ofseveral animal models that mimic the clinical and immunopathologicaldisorders seen in humans. From studies with these models, it is clearthat the full manifestations of IBD are dependent on synergy between thehumoral and cellular immune responses. The notion that immune cells andcytokines play critical roles in the pathogenesis of IBD is wellestablished; however, the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs arenot yet clearly defined. As discussed below, cytokines that promoteinflammation in the intestine afflicted with IBD, all activate a commonmediator, sphingosine kinase (SK). Most prominently, tumor necrosisfactor-α (TNFα) has been shown to play a significant role in IBD, suchthat antibody therapy directed against this cytokine, i.e. Remicade, maybe a promising treatment. TNFα activates several processes shown tocontribute to IBD and is necessary for both the initiation andpersistence of the Th1 response. For example, TNFα has been shown actthrough the induction of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) which has beenimplicated in increasing the proinflammatory enzymes nitric oxidesynthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 has been shown toplay a key role in the inflammation of IBDs through its production ofprostaglandins, and oxidative stress such as that mediated by nitricoxide produced by NOS has also shown to exacerbate IBD inflammation.

A common pathway of immune activation in IBDs is the local influx ofmast cells, monocytes, macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophilswhich results in the secondary amplification of the inflammation processand produces the clinical manifestations of the diseases. This resultsin markedly increased numbers of mast cells in the mucosa of the ileumand colon of patients with IBD, which is accompanied by dramaticincreases in TNFα (He, 2004, World J Gastroenterology 10 (3): 309).Additional mast cell secretory products, including histamine andtryptase, may be important in IBDs. Therefore, it is clear thatinflammatory cascades play critical roles in the pathology of IBDs.

The mechanisms and effects of the sphingolipid interconversion have beenthe subjects of a growing body of scientific investigation.Sphingomyelin is not only a structural component of cellular membranes,but also serves as the precursor for the potent bioactive lipidsceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). A ceramide: S1P rheostat isthought to determine the fate of the cell, such that the relativecellular concentrations of ceramide and S1P determine whether a cellproliferates or undergoes apoptosis. Ceramide is produced by thehydrolysis of sphingomyelin in response to inflammatory stresses,including TNFα, and can be hydrolyzed by ceramidase to producesphingosine. Sphingosine is then rapidly phosphorylated by sphingosinekinase (SK) to produce S1P. Ceramidase and SK are also activated bycytokines and growth factors, leading to rapid increases in theintracellular levels of S1P and depletion of ceramide levels. Thissituation promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis.Deregulation of apoptosis in phagocytes is an important component of thechronic inflammatory state in IBDs, and S1P has been shown to protectneutrophils from apoptosis in response to Fas, TNFα and ceramide.Similarly, apoptosis of macrophages is blocked by S1P.

In addition to its role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis,S1P has been shown to have several important effects on cells thatmediate immune functions. Platelets, monocytes and mast cells secreteS1P upon activation, promoting inflammatory cascades at the site oftissue damage. Activation of SK is required for the signaling responses,since the ability of TNFα to induce adhesion molecule expression viaactivation of NFκB is mimicked by S1P and is blocked by the SK inhibitordimethylsphingosine (Xia et al., 1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95:14196). Similarly, S1P mimics the ability of TNFα to induce theexpression of COX-2 and the synthesis of PGE₂, and knock-down of SK byRNA interference blocks these responses to TNFα but not S1P (Pettus etal., 2003, FASEB J 17: 1411). S1P is also a mediator of Ca²⁺ influxduring neutrophil activation by TNFα and other stimuli, leading to theproduction of superoxide and other toxic radicals (Mackinnon, 2002,Journal of Immunology 169(11): 6394).

A model for the roles of sphingolipid metabolites in the pathology ofIBDs involves a combination of events in the colon epithelial cells andrecruited mast cells, macrophages and neutrophils. Early in the disease,immunologic reactions or other activating signals promote the release ofinflammatory cytokines, particularly TNFα from macrophages and mastcells. The actions of TNFα are mediated through its activation of S1Pproduction. For example, TNFα induces S1P production in endothelialcells (Xia et al., 1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95: 14196), neutrophils(Niwa et al., 2000, Life Sci 66: 245) and monocytes by activation ofsphingomyelinase, ceramidase and SK. S1P is a central player in thepathway since it has pleiotropic actions on the mucosal epithelialcells, macrophages, mast cells and neutrophils. Within the mucosalcells, S1P activates NFκB thereby inducing the expression of adhesionmolecules, COX-2 resulting in PGE₂ synthesis, and NOS producing nitricoxide. Together, these chemoattractants and the adhesion moleculespromote neutrophil infiltration into the mucosa. At the same time, S1Pactivates the neutrophils resulting in the release of oxygen freeradicals that further inflame and destroy epithelial tissue. Similarly,S1P promotes the activation and degranulation of mast cells.

As the processes involved in IBDs are induced by cytokines and growthfactors whose action is dependent on increased signaling through SK, theSK inhibitory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of thisinvention are expected to be of use in the therapy of IBDs.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic disease that ischaracterized by synovial hyperplasia, massive cellular infiltration,erosion of the cartilage and bone, and an abnormal immune response.Studies on the etiology and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis have beengreatly facilitated by the development of animal models that mimic theclinical and immunopathological disorders seen in humans. From studiesin these models, it is clear that the full manifestations of RA aredependent on synergy between the humoral and cellular immune responses.The notion that immune cells, especially neutrophils, and cytokines playcritical roles in the pathogenesis of arthritis is well established.However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are not fully elucidated.

The early phase of rheumatic inflammation is characterized by leukocyteinfiltration into tissues, especially by neutrophils. In the case of RA,this occurs primarily in joints where leukocyte infiltration results insynovitis and synovium thickening producing the typical symptoms ofwarmth, redness, swelling and pain. As the disease progresses, theaberrant collection of cells invade and destroy the cartilage and bonewithin the joint leading to deformities and chronic pain. Theinflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β and IL-8 act as critical mediators ofthis infiltration, and these cytokines are present in the synovial fluidof patients with RA.

Leukocytes localize to sites of inflammatory injury as a result of theintegrated actions of adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemotacticfactors. In lipopolysaccharide-induced arthritis in the rabbit, theproduction of TNFα and IL-1β in the initiative phase of inflammationparalleled the time course of leukocyte infiltration. The adherence ofneutrophils to the vascular endothelium is a first step in theextravasation of cells into the interstitium. This process is mediatedby selectins, integrins, and endothelial adhesion molecules, e.g. ICAM-1and VCAM-1. Since TNFα induces the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 andis present in high concentrations in arthritic joints, it is likely thatthis protein plays a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease.This is supported by the clinical activity of anti-TNFα therapies suchas Remicade. After adherence to the endothelium, leukocytes migratealong a chemoattractant concentration gradient. A further criticalprocess in the progression of RA is the enhancement of the blood supplyto the synovium through angiogenesis. Expression of the key angiogenicfactor VEGF is potently induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines includingTNFα. Together, these data point to important roles of TNFα, leukocytes,leukocyte adhesion molecules, leukocyte chemoattractants andangiogenesis in the pathogenesis of arthritic injury.

Early in the disease, immunologic reactions or other activating signalspromote the release of inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNFα andIL-1β from macrophages and mast cells. Ceramide is produced by thehydrolysis of sphingomyelin in response to inflammatory stresses,including TNFα and IL-1, (Dressler et al., 1992, Science 255: 1715).Ceramide can be further hydrolyzed by ceramidase to produce sphingosinewhich is then rapidly phosphorylated by SK to produce S1P. Ceramidaseand SK are also activated by cytokines and growth factors, leading torapid increases in the intracellular levels of S1P and depletion ofceramide levels. This situation promotes cell proliferation and inhibitsapoptosis. Deregulation of apoptosis in phagocytes is an importantcomponent of the chronic inflammatory state in arthritis, and S1P hasbeen shown to protect neutrophils from apoptosis in response to Fas,TNFα and ceramide. Similarly, apoptosis of macrophages is blocked byS1P.

In addition to its role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis,S1P is a central player in the pathway since it has pleiotropic actionson the endothelial cells, leukocytes, chondrocytes and synovial cells.Within the endothelial cells, S1P activates NFκB thereby inducing theexpression of multiple adhesion molecules and COX-2 resulting in PGE2synthesis. Together, this chemoattractant and the adhesion moleculespromote neutrophil infiltration into the synovium. At the same time, S1Pdirectly activates the neutrophils resulting in the release of oxygenfree radicals that destroy joint tissue. Progression of RA is associatedwith a change from a Th1 to a Th2 environment, and sphingosine isselectively inhibitory toward Th1 cells. Consequently, inhibiting theconversion of sphingosine to SIP should attenuate the progression of thedisease. Platelets, monocytes and mast cells secrete S1P uponactivation, promoting inflammatory cascades at the site of tissue damage(Yatomi et al., Blood 86: 193 (1995)). S1P also promotes the secretionof proteases from chondrocytes that contribute to joint destruction.Finally, S1P-mediated expression of VEGF promotes the angiogenesisnecessary to support the hyperproliferation of synovial cells.Consequently, inhibiting the conversion of sphingosine to S1P shouldattenuate the progression of the disease.

As the processes involved in arthritis are induced by cytokines andgrowth factors whose action is dependent on increased signaling throughSK, the SK inhibitory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methodsof this invention are expected to be of use in the prevention and/ortherapy of arthritis.

Atherosclerosis is a complex vascular disease that involves a series ofcoordinated cellular and molecular events characteristic of inflammatoryreactions. In response to vascular injury, the first atheroscleroticlesions are initiated by acute inflammatory reactions, mostly mediatedby monocytes, platelets and T lymphocytes. These inflammatory cells areactivated and recruited into the subendothelial vascular space throughlocally expressed chemotactic factors and adhesion molecules expressedon endothelial cell surface. Continuous recruitment of additionalcirculating inflammatory cells into the injured vascular wallpotentiates the inflammatory reaction by further activating vascularsmooth muscle (VSM) cell migration and proliferation. This chronicvascular inflammatory reaction leads to fibrous cap formation, which isan oxidant-rich inflammatory milieu composed of monocytes/macrophagesand VSM cells. Over time, this fibrous cap can be destabilized andruptured by extracellular metalloproteinases secreted by residentmonocytes/macrophages. The ruptured fibrous cap can easily occludevessels resulting in acute cardiac or cerebral ischemia. This underlyingmechanism of atherosclerosis indicates that activation of monocyte/macrophage and VSM cell migration and proliferation play critical rolesin the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.Importantly, it also suggests that a therapeutic approach that blocksthe activities of these vascular inflammatory cells or smooth musclecell proliferation should be able to prevent the progression and/ordevelopment of atherosclerosis.

SK is highly expressed in platelets allowing them to phosphorylatecirculating sphingosine to produce S1P. In response to vessel injury,platelets release large amounts of S1P into the sites of injury whichcan exert mitogenic effects on VSM cells by activating S1P receptors.S1P is also produced in activated endothelial and VSM cells. In thesecells, intracellularly produced S1P functions as a second messengermolecule, regulating Ca²⁺ homeostasis associated with cell proliferationand suppression of apoptosis. Additionally, deregulation of apoptosis inphagocytes is an important component of the chronic inflammatory stateof atherosclerosis, and S1P protects granulocytes from apoptosis.Together, these studies indicate that activation of SK alterssphingolipid metabolism in favor of S1P formation, resulting inpro-inflammatory and hyper-proliferative cellular responses.

In addition to its role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis,S1P has been shown to have several important effects on cells thatmediate immune functions. Platelets and monocytes secrete cytokines,growth factors and S1P upon activation, promoting inflammatory cascadesat the site of tissue damage. For example, TNFα has been shown to actthrough the induction of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), which has beenimplicated in increasing the proinflammatory enzymes nitric oxidesynthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 may play a key rolein the inflammation of atherosclerosis through its production ofprostaglandins, and oxidative stress such as that mediated by nitricoxide produced by NOS has also shown to exacerbate inflammation.Activation of SK is required for signaling responses since the abilityof inflammatory cytokines to induce adhesion molecule expression viaactivation of NFκB is mimicked by S1P. Similarly, S1P mimics the abilityof TNFα to induce the expression of COX-2 and the synthesis of PGE₂, andknock-down of SK by RNA interference blocks these responses to TNF (butnot S1P. S1P is also a mediator of Ca²⁺ influx during granulocyteactivation, leading to the production of superoxide and other toxicradicals.

Together, these studies indicate that SK is a new molecular target foratherosclerosis. The use of inhibitors of SK as anti-atherosclerosisagents will prevent the deleterious activation of leukocytes, as well asprevent infiltration and smooth muscle cell hyperproliferation, makingthe compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of this inventionuseful for the treatment and/or prevention of atherosclerosis.

The physiological endpoint in asthma pathology is narrowing of thebronchial tubes due to inflammation. In a large portion of asthma cases,the inflammation is initiated and later amplified by exposure toallergens. Upon inhalation, these allergens, bind to circulating IgE andthen bind to the high-affinity FcεRI surface receptors expressed byinflammatory cells residing in the bronchial mucosa. This extracellularbinding leads to a cascade of signaling events inside the inflammatorycells, culminating in activation of these cells and secretion ofmultiple factors that trigger the cells lining the bronchial airways toswell, resulting in restricted bronchial tubes and decreased airexchange. The inflammation process in response to the initial exposureto allergen may not completely subside. Furthermore, additionalexposures may lead to an exaggerated response called bronchialhyper-reactivity. This hyper-reactive state can lead to a permanentcondition of restricted airways through airway remodeling. Consequently,unchecked inflammatory responses to initial allergen exposure may resultin chronic inflammation and permanent bronchiolar constriction.Therefore, inhibiting or diminishing this exaggerated inflammation wouldlikely decrease the symptoms associated with asthma.

Many studies have revealed the involvement of mast cells in theinflammatory process leading to asthma, and SK has been shown to beinvolved in allergen-stimulated mast cell activation, a critical step inthe bronchial inflammatory process. In rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3cells, IgE/Ag binding to the high-affinity FcεRI receptor leads to SKactivation and conversion of sphingosine to S1P (Choi et al., 1996,Nature 380: 634). The newly formed S1P increases intracellular calciumlevels, which is necessary for mast cell activation. Alternately, highconcentrations of sphingosine decrease IgE/Ag exposure-mediatedleukotriene synthesis and diminishe cytokine transcription and secretion(Prieschl et al., 1999, J Exp Med 190:1).

In addition to the key role of SK and S1P in mast cell activation, S1Palso has direct effects on downstream signaling in the asthmainflammation pathway. Ammit and coworkers demonstrated increased S1Plevels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collected from asthmaticpatients 24 hours after allergen challenge compared with non-asthmaticsubjects (Ammit et al., 2001, FASEB J 15: 1212). In conjunction with thefinding that activated mast cells produce and secrete S1P, these resultsreveal a correlation between S1P and the asthmatic inflammatoryresponse. To evaluate a possible role of SK and S1P exposure to cellresponse, ASM cultures were grown in the presence of S1P (Ammit et al.,2001 Id.). Furthermore, airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells are responsiveto S1P- and SK-dependent stimuli, such as TNFα and IL-1β. Treatment withS1P increases phosphoinositide hydrolysis and intracellular calciummobilization, both of which promote ASM contraction. Furthermore, S1Ptreatment increases DNA synthesis, cell number and acceleratedprogression of ASM cells from G₁ to S phase.

In addition to the direct effects on ASM cells, S1P also regulatessecretion of cytokines and expression of cell adhesion molecules thatamplify the inflammatory response through leukocyte recruitment andfacilitating extracellular component interaction. S1P, like TNFα,induces IL-6 secretion and increases the expression of cell adhesionmolecules such as VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin (Shimamura et al., 2004,Eur J Pharmacol 486: 141). In addition to the effects of S1P on mastcell activation, the multiple roles of S1P, and hence SK, in thebronchiolar inflammatory phase of asthma pathogenesis clearly indicatean opportunity for pharmacologic intervention in both the acute andchronic phases of this disease.

Overall, SK is a target for new anti-asthma therapies. The use ofinhibitors of SK as anti-asthma agents will inhibit cytokine-mediatedactivation of leukocytes, thereby preventing the deleterious activationof leukocytes, as well as preventing airway smooth muscle cellhyperproliferation, making the compounds, pharmaceutical compositionsand methods of this invention useful for the treatment and/or preventionof asthma.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), like asthma, involvesairflow obstruction and hyperresponsiveness that is associated withaberrant neutrophil activation in the lung tissue. This is clinicallymanifested as chronic bronchitis, fibrosis or emphysema, which togethermake up the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Sinceactivation of inflammatory cells by chemical insults in COPD occursthrough NFκB-mediated pathways similar to those activated during asthma,it is likely that the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methodsof this invention will also be useful for the treatment and/orprevention of COPD.

Inflammation is involved in a variety of skin disorders, includingpsoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact sensitivity and acne, which affectmore than 20% if the population. Although topical corticosteroids havebeen widely used, their adverse effects prevent long-term use. Since theinflammatory responses typically involve aberrant activation ofsignaling pathways detailed above, it is likely that the compounds,pharmaceutical compositions and methods of this invention will also beuseful for the treatment of these skin diseases.

A variety of diseases including allergic encephalomyelitis, allergicneuritis, transplant allograft rejection, graft versus host disease,myocarditis, thyroiditis, nephritis, systemic lupus erthematosus, andinsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus can be induced by inappropriateactivation of T cells. Common features of the pathogenesis of thesediseases include infiltration by mononuclear cells, expression of CD4and CD8 autoreactive T cells, and hyperactive signaling by inflammatorymediators such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNFα. Since the inflammatory responsestypically involve aberrant activation of signaling pathways detailedabove, it is likely that the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions andmethods of this invention will also be useful for the treatment of theseT cell-mediated diseases of immunity.

Angiogenic Diseases.

The present invention also relates to compounds, pharmaceuticalcompositions and methods useful for the treatment and/or prevention ofdiseases that involve undesired angiogenesis. More specifically, theinvention relates to the use of chemical compounds and compositions thatinhibit the enzymatic activity of sphingosine kinase for the treatmentand/or prevention of angiogenic diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy,arthritis, cancer, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, hemangiomas, myocardialangiogenesis, atherscelortic plaque neovascularization, and ocularangiogenic diseases such as choroidal neovascularization, retinopathy ofprematurity (retrolental fibroplasias), macular degeneration, cornealgraft rejection, rubeosis, neuroscular glacoma and Oster Webbersyndrome. The following discussion demonstrates the role of SK inseveral of these angiogenic diseases. Since the same processes areinvolved in the above listed diseases, the compounds, pharmaceuticalcompositions and methods of this invention will be useful for thetreatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases.

Angiogenesis refers to the state in the body in which various growthfactors or other stimuli promote the formation of new blood vessels. Asdiscussed below, this process is critical to the pathology of a varietyof diseases. In each case, excessive angiogenesis allows the progressionof the disease and/or the produces undesired effects in the patient.Since conserved biochemical mechanisms regulate the proliferation ofvascular endothelial cells that form these new blood vessels, i.e.neovascularization, identification of methods to inhibit thesemechanisms are expected to have utility for the treatment and/orprevention of a variety of diseases. The following discussion providesfurther details in how the compounds, compositions and methods of thepresent invention can be used to inhibit angiogenesis in several ofthese diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision impairment, andelevation in the expression of growth factors contributes to pathogenicangiogenesis in this disease. In particular, vascular endothelial growthfactor (VEGF) is a prominent contributor to the new vessel formation inthe diabetic retina (Frank et al., 1997, Arch Opthalmol 115: 1036, Soneet al., 1997, Diabetologia 40: 726), and VEGF has been shown to beelevated in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Aiello etal., 1994, N Engl J Med 331: 1480). In addition to diabetic retinopathy,several other debilitating ocular diseases, including age-relatedmacular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization, are associatedwith excessive angiogenesis that is mediated by VEGF and other growthfactors (Grant et al., 2004, Expert Opin Investig Drugs 13: 1275).

In the retina, VEGF is expressed in the pigmented epithelium, theneurosensory retina, the pericytes and the vascular smooth muscle layer.VEGF induces endothelial cell proliferation, favoring the formation ofnew vessels in the retina (Pe'er et al., 1995, Lab Invest 72: 638). Atthe same time, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the retina isactivated, and this factor acts in synergy with VEGF such that the twotogether induce the formation of new vessels in which the subendothelialmatrix is much weaker than in normal vessels. Additionally, VEGFfacilitates fluid extravasation in the interstitium, where exudates formin the retinal tissue. VEGF also promotes the fenestration ofendothelial cells, a process that can give rise to intercellularchannels through which fluids can leak, and disrupts tight junctionsbetween cells. Thus, reduction of VEGF activity in the retina is likelyto efficiently reduce the development and progression of retinalangiogenesis and vascular leakage which underlie the retinopathicprocess.

The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα has also been demonstrated to play arole in diabetic retinopathy since it alters the cytoskeleton ofendothelial cells, resulting in leaky barrier function and endothelialcell activation (Camussi et al., 1991, Int Arch Allergy Apl Immunol 96:84). These changes in retinal endothelial cells are central in thepathologies of diabetic retinopathy.

A link between the actions of VEGF and SK may be involved in drivingretinopathy. SK has been shown to mediate VEGF-induced activation ofras- and mitogen-activated protein kinases (Shu et al., 2002, Mol CellBiol 22: 7758). VEGF has been shown to enhance intracellular signalingresponses to S1P, thereby increasing its angiogenic actions (Igarashi etal., 2003, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100: 10664). S1P has also been shownto stimulate NFκB activity (Xia et al., 1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95:14196) leading to the production of COX-2, adhesion molecules andadditional VEGF production, all of which have been linked toangiogenesis. Furthermore, the expression of the endothelial isoform ofnitric oxide synthase (eNOS), a key signaling molecule in vascularendothelial cells and modulates a wide array of function includingangiogenic responses, is regulated by SK (Igarashi et al., 2000 J BiolChem 275: 32363). Clearly, SK is a central regulator of angiogenesis,supporting our hypothesis that its pharmacological manipulation may betherapeutically useful. S1P has also been shown to stimulate NFκBproduction which has been demonstrated to be angiogenic. NFκB leads tothe production of Cox2, adhesion molecules and additional VEGFproduction, all of which have been linked to angiogenesis.

One of the most attractive sites of intervention in this pathway is theconversion of sphingosine to S1P by the enzyme SK. SK is the key enzymeresponsible for the production of S1P synthesis in mammalian cells,which facilitates cell survival and proliferation, and mediates criticalprocesses involved in angiogenesis and inflammation, including responsesto VEGF (Shu et al., 2002, Mol Cell Biol 22: 7758) and TNFα (Xia et al.,1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95: 14196). Therefore, inhibition of S1Pproduction is a potentially important point of therapeutic interventionfor diabetic retinopathy.

The role of angiogenesis in cancer is well recognized. Growth of a tumoris dependent on neovascularization so that nutrients can be provided tothe tumor cells. The major factor that promotes endothelial cellproliferation during tumor neovascularization is VEGF. As discussedabove, signaling through VEGF receptors is dependent on the actions ofSK. Therefore, the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods ofthis invention will have utility for the treatment of cancer.

More than 50 eye diseases have been linked to the formation of choroidalneovascularization, although the three main diseases that cause thispathology are age-related macular degeneration, myopia and oculartrauma. Even though most of these causes are idiopathic, among the knowncauses are related to degeneration, infections, choroidal tumors and ortrauma. Among soft contact lens wearers, choroidal neovascularizationcan be caused by the lack of oxygen to the eyeball. As the choroidalneovascularization is induced by growth factors whose action isdependent on increased signaling through SK, the SK inhibitorycompounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of this invention areexpected to be of use in the therapy of disorders of choroidalneovascularization.

Hemangiomas are angiogenic diseases characterized by the proliferationof capillary endothelium with accumulation of mast cells, fibroblastsand macrophages. They represent the most frequent tumors of infancy, andare characterized by rapid neonatal growth (proliferating phase). By theage of 6 to 10 months, the hemangioma's growth rate becomes proportionalto the growth rate of the child, followed by a very slow regression forthe next 5 to 8 years (involuting phase). Most hemangiomas occur assingle tumors, whereas about 20% of the affected infants have multipletumors, which may appear at any body site. Several studies have providedinsight into the histopathology of these lesions. In particular,proliferating hemangiomas express high levels of proliferating cellnuclear antigen (a marker for cells in the S phase), type IVcollagenase, VEGF and FGF-2. As the hemangiomas are induced by growthfactors whose action is dependent on increased signaling through SK, theSK inhibitory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of thisinvention are expected to be of use in the therapy of hemangiomas.

Psoriasis and Kaposi's sarcoma are angiogenic and proliferativedisorders of the skin. Hypervascular psoriatic lesions express highlevels of the angiogenic inducer IL-8, whereas the expression of theendogenous inhibitor TSP-1 is decreased. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is themost common tumor associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection and is in this setting almost always associated with infectionby human herpes virus 8. Typical features of KS are proliferatingspindle-shaped cells, considered to be the tumor cells and endothelialcells forming blood vessels. KS is a cytokine-mediated disease, highlyresponsive to different inflammatory mediators like IL-1β, TNF-α andIFN-γ and angiogenic factors. As the progression of psoriasis and KS areinduced by growth factors whose action is dependent on increasedsignaling through SK, the SK inhibitory compounds, pharmaceuticalcompositions and methods of this invention are expected to be of use inthe therapy of these disorders.

EXAMPLES

The present invention may be better understood with reference to thefollowing examples. These examples are intended to be representative ofspecific embodiments of the invention, and are not intended as limitingthe scope of the invention.

Representative compounds of the invention include those in Tables 1 and2. Structures were named using Chemdraw Ultra, version 7.0.1, availablefrom CambridgeSoft Corporation, 100 CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge,Mass. 02140, USA.

TABLE 1 Representative compounds of the invention.

Cmpd Chemical name Y R₃ R₁ R₂ 1 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid isopropylamide NH ═O

2 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid cyclopropylamide NH═O

3 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-ethylsulfanyl-ethyl)-amide NH ═O

4 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid phenylamide NH ═O

5 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (4-hydroxy-phenyl)-amide NH ═O H

6 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-amide NH ═O

7 Acetic acid 4- {[3-(4-chloro- phenyl)-adamantane-1-carbonyl]-amino}-phenyl ester NH ═O

8 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-amide NH ═O

9 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-hydroxymethyl-phenyl)- amide NH ═O

10 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (4-cyanomethyl-phenyl)-amide NH ═O H

11 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(4-cyanomethyl-phenyl)-amide NH ═O

12 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid benzylamide NH ═O

13 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-tert-butyl-benzylamide NH ═O

14 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-methylsulfanyl-benzylamide NH ═O

15 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide NH ═O

16 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide NH ═O

17 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl- benzylamide NH ═O

18 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl- benzylamide NH ═O

19 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl- benzylamide NH ═O

20 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,5-difluoro-benzylamide NH ═O

21 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,4-difluoro-benzylamide NH ═O

22 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,4,5-trifluoro-benzylamide NH ═O

23 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-chloro-4-fluoro-benzylamide NH ═O

24 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl- benzylamide NH ═O

25 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid2-chloro-4-fluoro-benzylamide NH ═O

26 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl- benzylamide NH ═O

27 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-aminomethyl-2,4,5,6- tetrachloro-benzylamide NH ═O

28 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

29 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[1-(4-bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

30 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid 4-methanesulfonyl-benzylamide NH ═O

31 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-dimethylamino-benzylamide NH ═O

32 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid 4-trifluoromethoxy-benzylamide NH ═O

33 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid 3-trifluoromethoxy-benzylamide NH ═O

34 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-phenoxy-benzylamide NH ═O

35 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-benzylamide NH ═O H

36 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,4-dihydroxy-benzylamide NH ═O

37 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid phenethyl-amide NH═O

38 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

39 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

40 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

41 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-phenoxy-benzylamide NH ═O

42 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3-bromo-4-methoxy- phenyl)-ethyl]-amide NH ═O

43 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid [2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)- ethyl]-amideNH ═O H

44 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)- ethyl]-amide NH ═O

45 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl- ethyl)-amide NH ═O

46 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3-phenoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

47 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]- amide NH ═O

48 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-phenyl-propyl)-amide NH ═O

49 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-amide NH ═O

50 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)- amide NH ═O H

51 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)- amide NH ═O

52 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)- amide NH ═O

53 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-tert-burylamino-propyl)- amide NH ═O

54 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)- amide NH ═O

55 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[3-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)- propyl]-amide NH ═O

56 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid [2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]-amide NH ═O H

57 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)- ethyl]-amide NH ═O

58 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide NH ═O

59 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-piperazin-1-yl-ethyl)-amide NH ═O

60 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide NH ═O H

61 3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide NH ═O

62 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide NH ═O

63 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide NH ═O H

64 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide NH ═O

65 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-amide NH ═O

66 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)- amide NH ═O

67 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amide NH ═O

68 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)- amide NH ═O

69 Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid [4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]-amide NH ═O H

70 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2- yl]-amide NH ═O

71 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acidbenzothiazol-2-ylamide NH ═O

72 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(5-chloro-benzooxazol-2-yl)- amide NH ═O

73 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(9H-purin-6-yl)-amide NH ═O

75 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]- isopropyl-amine NH H

76 4-and-phenol NH H

77 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-amine NH H

78 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl- benzyl)-amine NH H

79 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl- benzyl)-amine NH H

80 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)- amine NH H

81 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-[2-(3-phenoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amine NH H

82 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine NH H

83 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-amine NH H

84 N-tert-Butyl-N′-[3-(4-chloro- phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-propane-1,3-diamine NH H

85 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-amine NH H

86 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]- amine NH H

87 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amine NH H

88 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]- pyridin-4-ylmethyl-amineNH H

89 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-amine NH H

90 [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]- amine NH H

91 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethylamine NH CH₃

H 92 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}- isopropyl-amine NHCH₃

93 Phenyl-[1-(3-phenyl- adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-amine NH CH₃

94 {1-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}- phenyl-amine NH CH₃

95 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}- phenyl-amine NH CH₃

96 (1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethyl)- benzyl-amine NH CH₃ H

97 Benzyl-[1-(3-phenyl- adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-amine NH CH₃

98 Benzyl-{1-[3-(4-fluoro- phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]- ethyl}-amine NH CH₃

99 Benzyl-{1-[3-(4-chloro- phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]- ethyl}-amine NH CH₃

100 (4-tert-Butyl-benzyl)-{1-[3-(4- chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine NH CH₃

101 [1-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]- {1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine NH CH₃

102 (1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethyl)-[2- (4-bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]-amine NH CH₃ H

103 [2-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]- {1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine NH CH₃

104 (1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethyl)-(1- methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine NH CH₃ H

105 (1-Methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-[1- (3-phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-amine NH CH₃

106 {1-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine NH CH₃

107 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine NH CH₃

108 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-amine NH CH₃

109 {1-[3-(Phenyl)-adamantan-1- yl]-ethyl}-pyridin-4-ylmethyl- amine NHCH₃

110 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(6-chloro-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)- amine NH CH₃

111 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-amine NH CH₃

112 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(3H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-amine NH CH₃

113 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-amine NH CH₃

114 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-amine NH CH₃

115 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-ylmethyl)- amine NH CH₃

116 9-Ethyl-9H-carbazole-3- carboxylic acid {1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1- yl]-ethyl}-amide NH CH₃

117 1-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-3-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl- phenyl)-urea NH CH₃

118 1-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-3-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl- phenyl)-urea NH CH₃

119 (4-Bromo-thiophen-2- ylmethyl)-{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]- ethyl}-amine NH CH₃

120 {1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(4-phenyl-thiophen-2-ylmethyl)- amine NH CH₃

TABLE 2 Representative compounds of the invention.

Cmpd Chemical name R₁ R₂ 121 3-Phenyl-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid

OH 122 3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantane-1- carboxylic acid

OH 123 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1- carboxylic acid

OH 124 1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethanone H CH₃ 125 1-(3-Phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethanone

CH₃ 126 1-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-ethanone

CH₃ 127 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-ethanone

CH₃ 128 2-(Adamantane-1-carbonyl)-malonic acid dimethyl ester H

129 2-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane- 1-carbonyl]-malonic acid aciddimethyl ester

130 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-propenone

131 4-{3-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)- adamantan-1-yl]-3-oxo-propenyl}-benzonitrile

132 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone

133 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propenone

134 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-3-(6-chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-propenone

135 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-propenone

136 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)- propenone

137 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan- 1-yl]-3-(4-phenyl-thiophen-2-yl)-propenone

General methods. NMR spectra were obtained on Varian 300 instruments inCDCl₃, DMSO-d₆. Chemical shifts are quoted relative to TMS for ¹H— and¹³C-NMR spectra. Solvents were dried and distilled prior to use.Reactions requiring anhydrous conditions were conducted under anatmosphere of nitrogen and column chromatography was carried out oversilica gel (Merck, silica gel 60, 230-400 mesh) All reagents andcommercially available materials were used without further purification.

Example 1 Method for the synthesis of3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide, Compound 62

As an example, a process for the synthesis of Compound 62 is describedin Scheme 1. The direct bromination of adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (1)in the presence of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) gave 3-bromide derivative(2) of 1 which was converted to (3) by the reaction of Friedel-Craftsreaction. 3 was reacted with thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) to give3-R-substituted-1-adamantanecarbonyl chlorides 4. By reaction 4 with asubstituted amine, for example, 4-aminomethylpyridin (5), in THF, (6,also represented as Compound 62) and related amide compounds wereobtained.

More specifically, adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (1) (45 g, 0.25 mol) wasadded to mixture of AlCl₃ (45 g, 0.34 mol) and Br₂ (450 g) at 0° C. andstirred at 0-10° C. for 48 hrs, kept 5 hrs at about 20° C., poured on to500 g crushed ice, diluted with 300 ml CHCl₃ and decolorized with solidNa₂S₂O₅. The aqueous phase was extracted with Et₂O (50 ml×2). Thecombined organic solution was washed with H₂O and extracted with 10%NaOH. The alkaline extraction was acidified with 2N H₂SO₄ and provided49 g (yield=75.7%) of 3-bromo-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (2).

Over a 30 minute period, 3-bromo-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (2) (16.0g, 61.7 mmol) in 50 ml of dry chlorobenzene at −10° C. was added to 100ml dry chlorobenzene and 9.3 g, 70 mmol AlCl₃. The mixture was thenwarmed to room temperature for 1 hour and then heated to 90° C. for 10hours. The mixture was then poured onto 200 g of crushed ice, and thefiltered to provide 14.2 g (yield=79.3%) of3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (3).

3 reacted with an equimolar amount of 1,1′-carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) togive intermediate 3-R-substituted-1-adamantanecarbonyl imidazole (4). Byreaction of 4 with a substituted amine, the corresponding adamantylamidewas obtained.

For example, reaction of 3 with 4-aminomethylpyridine (5), in toluene,produced {3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide} (6 also represented as Compound 62) with ayield of 92.6% and a melting point of 128-130° C. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 1.72-2.25 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 4.44-4.46 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H,CH₂-Py), 6.18 (m, 1H, HN), 7.13-7.15 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, H-Py), 7.15-7.30(m, 4H, H-Ph), 8.52-8.54 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, H-Py); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 28.98, 35.73, 36.71, 38.77, 42.18, 42.37, 44.88, 122.38, 125.30,126.57, 128.56, 129.26, 148.39, 150.20 177.76; MS m/z (rel intensity)381.50 (MH⁺, 100), 383.41 (90), 384.35 (80).

Example 2 A Second Method for the Synthesis of Compound 62

A second method for the synthesis of Compound 62 and relatedadamantylamides is described in Scheme 2. 3-phenyl substitutedintermediate (3) was prepared as described above. 3 reacted with1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) to give3-R-substituted-1-adamantanecarbonylimidazole intermediate (4). Byreaction of 4 with a substituted amine, for example4-aminomethylpyridine 5, in toluene, 6{3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide} was obtained.

A diverse set of substituted aryladamantanes can be efficientlysynthesized by condensation of various aromatic compounds with 2, and avariety of such compounds are commercially available. Additionally,amidation of 3 can be efficiently completed using a variety of couplingreagents and primary amine-containing compounds. The following Exampleprovides several representatives of the products of this process;however, these methods can be adapted to produce many structurallyrelated adamantylamides that are considered to be subjects of thisinvention.

Example 3 Synthesis of Adamantylamides

The methods described in Example 1 or 2 were used to prepare a libraryof substituted adamantylamides. Data provided below include: the amountsynthesized, the yield of the amidation reaction, the melting point(m.p.) of the compound, mass spectral (MS) data for the compound, andNMR spectral data for the compound.

Compound 1: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acidisopropylamide. Yield=81%; m.p.: 140-141.5° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity)332 (MH⁺, 95).

Compound 2: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acidcyclopropylamide. 90 mg, Yield=78.3%; m.p.: 145-148° C.; ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.44-0.46 (m, 2H, CH₂), 0.76-0.78 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.59-1.92(m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.25 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 2.62-2.65 (m, 1H, CH),5.64 (m, 1H, HN), 7.28-7.30 (m, 4H, H-Ph); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ6.7, 22.7, 28.8, 35.5, 36.5, 38.4, 42.0, 44.5, 126.2, 128.1, 131.4,148.2, 178.5; MS m/z (rel intensity) 330.46 (MH⁺, 100), 331.47 (25),332.46 (35).

Compound 3: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-ethylsulfanyl-ethyl)-amide. 180 mg, Yield=92.0%; m.p.: 101-103° C.;¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.24-1.29 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1.74-1.97(m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.27 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 2.52-2.59 (q, J=7.5 Hz,2H, CH₂), 2.65-2.70 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.41-3.47 (m, 2H, CH₂), 6.12(m, 1H, HN), 7.24-7.28 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.38-7.45 (m, 2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.1, 25.7, 29.0, 31.6, 35.8, 36.7, 38.3, 38.6, 42.0,42.3, 44.7, 126.6, 128.5, 148.6, 177.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 373.6(MH⁺, 100), 374.6 (25), 375.6 (40).

Compound 4: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acidphenylamide. 120 mg, Yield=68.5%; m.p.: 190-192° C.; MS m/z (relintensity) 366 (MH⁺, 35).

Compound 5: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (4-hydroxy-phenyl)-amide. 77mg, Yield=57%; m.p.: 224-226° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 272 (MH⁺, 50).

Compound 6: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-amide. Yield=66%; m.p.: 240-242° C.; ¹H NMR (200 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 0.86-2.32 (m, 14H, Admant-H), 6.75-6.78 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H),7.26-7.33 (m, 6H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 23.7, 28.8, 29.4,29.7, 30.3, 35.5, 38.5.3, 38.7, 42.0, 44.6, 115.7, 122.5, 126.3, 128.3,140.6, 173.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 382 (MH⁺, 50).

Compound 7: Acetic acid4-{[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carbonyl]-amino}-phenyl ester. 140mg, Yield=85%; m.p.: 176-178° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 424 (MH⁺, 75),425 (50), 426 (55).

Compound 8: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-amide. 5 mg, Yield=4%; m.p.: 242-244° C.; MS m/z(rel intensity) 398 (MH⁺, 20).

Compound 9: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-hydroxymethyl-phenyl)-amide. 74 mg, Yield=38%; m.p.: 173-175° C.; MSm/z (rel intensity) 396 (MH⁺, 90).

Compound 10: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (4-cyanomethyl-phenyl)-amide.5.1 mg, Yield=4%; m.p.: 184-186° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 295 (MH⁺,50).

Compound 11: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(4-cyanomethyl-phenyl)-amide. 92 mg, Yield=46%; mp: 157-159° C.; MS m/z(rel intensity) 405 (MH⁺, 20).

Compound 12: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acidbenzylamide. 144 mg, Yield=75.8%; m.p.: 134-136° C.; MS m/z (relintensity) 380 (MH⁺, 75).

Compound 13: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-tert-butyl-benzylamide. 35 mg, Yield=62%; m.p.: 187-189° C.; MS m/z(rel intensity) 436 (MH⁺, 30).

Compound 14: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-methylsulfanyl-benzylamide. 100 mg, Yield=47%; m.p.: 139-141° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.73-1.98 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.26 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.47 (s, 3H, SCH₃), 4.38-4.40 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.84 (s(br), 1H, HN), 7.16-7.24 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.26-7.30 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.9, 28.8, 35.5, 36.5, 38.4, 41.7, 42.0, 42.9, 44.6,126.2, 126.7, 128.2, 131.4, 135.2, 137.5, 148.1, 177.2; MS m/z (relintensity) 426.6 (MH⁺, 100), 427.6 (30), 428.6 (32).

Compound 15: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 190 mg, Yield=81%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 1.58-2.00 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.28 (s, 2H, Admant-CH),4.50-4.52 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.02 (m, 1H, HN), 7.26-7.29 (m, 4H,Ar—H), 7.44-7.54 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 35.5,36.5, 38.5, 41.8, 42.0, 42.8, 44.5, 124.0, 126.2, 128.1, 129.0, 130.7,139.9, 148.3, 177.2; MS m/z (rel intensity) 448.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 16: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 180 mg, Yield=80%; m.p.: 165-167° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.74-1.99 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.28 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.48-4.50 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.03 (m, 1H, HN), 7.24-7.30(m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.34-7.36 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 7.57-7.59 (d, J=6 Hz,2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 35.7, 36.7, 38.3, 38.7,42.2, 42.3, 43.1, 43.9, 44.8, 125.9, 126.6, 127.9, 128.5, 131.9, 142.9,148.4, 177.8; MS m/z (rel intensity) 448.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 17: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 168 mg, Yield=65%; m.p.: 125-127°C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.75-2.00 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.28 (s,2H, Admant-CH), 4.53-4.55 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.24 (m, 1H, HN),7.23-7.30 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.69 (s, 2H, Ar—H), 7.77 (s, 1H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.9, 35.6, 36.7, 38.6, 42.0, 42.2, 42.6, 44.7,121.5, 125.5, 126.5, 127.6, 128.5, 131.8, 141.8, 148.4, 178.1; MS m/z(rel intensity) 516.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 18: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 210 mg, Yield=90%; m.p.: 92-94°C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.75-2.00 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.29 (s,2H, Admant-CH), 4.48-4.50 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.07 (m, 1H, HN),7.14-7.29 (m, 7H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.9, 35.6, 36.6,38.3, 38.7, 42.0, 42.1, 42.6, 44.7, 111.7, 112.0, 117.7, 118.0, 119.8,126.5, 128.5, 131.8, 143.2, 148.4, 161.2, 164.5, 178.1; MS m/z (relintensity) 466.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 19: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 156 mg, Yield=67%; m.p.:190-192° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.60-1.96 (m, 12H, Admant-CH),2.28 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 4.51-4.53 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.08 (m, 1H,HN), 7.26-7.44 (m, 7H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.7, 29.0,35.7, 36.7, 38.7, 42.2, 44.8, 113.3, 121.5, 126.6, 128.5, 130.8, 131.9,148.4, 177.7; MS m/z (rel intensity) 466.1 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 20: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,5-difluoro-benzylamide. 160 mg, Yield=85%; m.p.: 59-61° C.; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.75-2.03 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.29 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.38-4.41 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.00 (m, 1H, HN), 6.67-6.81(m, 3H, Ar—H), 7.29 (s, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.9,35.7, 36.7, 38.1, 38.7, 42.1, 42.3, 42.8, 44.1, 44.7, 103.0, 110.2,126.6, 128.5, 131.9, 148.4, 164.9, 178.0; MS m/z (rel intensity) 416.59(MH⁺, 100), 417.59 (35), 418.59 (40), 419.60 (20).

Compound 21: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,4-difluoro-benzylamide. 179 mg, Yield=86%; m.p.: 100-102° C.; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.74-1.98 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.28 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.38-4.41 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.96 (m, 1H, HN), 6.98 (s,1H, Ar—H), 7.06-7.12 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 35.7, 36.7, 38.7, 42.0, 42.1, 42.7, 44.8,116.7, 117.7, 123.7, 126.6, 128.5, 148.5, 177.8; MS m/z (rel intensity)416.4 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 22: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,4,5-trifluoro-benzylamide. 195 mg, Yield=90%; m.p.: 106-108° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.75-1.98 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.29 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.36-4.38 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.03 (m, 1H, HN), 6.82-6.89(t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 7.28 (s, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ28.9, 35.6, 36.7, 38.7, 42.1, 42.4, 44.7, 111.3, 111.4, 111.5, 123.3,125.5, 126.6, 128.5, 129.8, 131.8, 135.6, 148.4, 178.0; MS m/z (relintensity) 434.5 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 23: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-chloro-4-fluoro-benzylamide. 143 mg, Yield=66.2%; m.p.: 112-114° C.;¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.74-1.98 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.28 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.37-4.39 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.99 (m, 1H, HN), 7.08 (s,1H, Ar—H), 7.10-7.12 (m, 1H, Ar—H), 7.28-7.30 (m, 5H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 35.5, 36.5, 38.5, 41.8, 42.0, 42.3, 44.6,116.8, 126.2, 127.2, 128.2, 129.6, 148.0, 177.2; MS m/z (rel intensity)432.5 (MH⁺, 50).

Compound 24: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 220 mg, Yield=94%; m.p.:111-113° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.72-1.96 (m, 12H, Admant-CH),2.25 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 4.39-4.41 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.31-6.34 (m,1H, HN), 7.03-7.22 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.25-7.29 (m, 3H, Ar—H), 7.38-7.45 (m,2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 35.5, 36.7, 37.7, 38.6,38.7, 42.1, 42.3, 43.2, 44.7, 117.3, 126.2, 126.5, 128.5, 133.2, 148.4,177.8; MS m/z (rel intensity) 466.6 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 25: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid2-chloro-4-fluoro-benzylamide. 145 mg, Yield=97.3%; m.p.: 132-134° C.;¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.72-2.03 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.25 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.45-4.47 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.23 (m, 1H, HN), 6.90-6.96(m, 1H, Ar—H), 7.08-7.18 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 35.7, 36.7, 38.4, 38.6, 41.2, 42.2, 42.4, 44.7,114.4, 117.0, 126.6, 128.5, 131.5, 148.5, 163.7, 177.7; MS m/z (relintensity) 432.54 (MH⁺, 100), 433.55 (25), 434.54 (80), 435.54 (30),436.64 (25).

Compound 26: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-benzylamide. 136 mg, Yield=92.0%; m.p.:77-79° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.58-1.99 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.29(s, 2H, Admant-CH), 4.45-4.47 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.05 (m, 1H, HN),7.26-7.31 (m, 4H, H-Ph), 7.36-7.39 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H, Ar—H), 7.44-7.47 (d,J=9 Hz, 1H, Ar—H), 7.66 (s, 1H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.7,35.5, 36.5, 38.5, 41.9, 42.3, 44.6, 126.2, 126.4, 128.3, 131.6, 131.8,137.8, 148.0, 177.3; MS m/z (rel intensity) 482.55 (MH⁺, 100), 483.55(35), 484.35 (70).

Compound 27: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-aminomethyl-2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-benzylamide. 70 mg, Yield=31%; m.p.:170-172° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.60 (s, 2H, NH₂), 1.72-1.94 (m,12H, Admant-CH), 2.25 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 4.19 (s, 2H, CH₂), 4.79-4.81(d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.91 (m (br), 1H, HN), 7.26-7.27 (m, 4H, Ar—H);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.7, 35.5, 36.4, 38.4, 40.9, 41.9, 43.7,44.5, 122.9, 125.2, 125.9, 126.2, 128.1, 129.3, 131.4, 131.8, 134.1,134.3, 139.2, 148.0, 176.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 546.9 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 28: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 113 mg, Yield=53%; m.p.: 204-206° C.(B); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.44-1.46 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1.58-1.94(m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.27 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 5.06-5.11 (m, 1H, CH),5.75-5.78 (m (br), 1H, HN), 7.20-7.31 (m, 8H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 22.0, 29.0, 35.7, 36.7, 38.6, 38.7, 41.8, 42.2, 44.8, 48.1,126.3, 126.6, 127.7, 128.5, 129.0, 131.8, 133.2, 142.3, 148.5, 176.6; MSm/z (rel intensity) 428.4 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 29: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[1-(4-bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 69 mg, Yield=29%; m.p.: 218-220° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 472 (MH⁺, 80), 474 (MH⁺, 100);

Compound 30: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-methanesulfonyl-benzylamide. 189 mg, Yield=82%; m.p.: 115-117° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.75-2.00 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.29 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 3.02 (s, 3H, CH₃), 4.51-4.53 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.19 (m,1H, HN), 7.16-7.28 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.40-7.43 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H),7.84-7.87 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 35.5,35.7, 36.7, 37.7, 38.5, 38.7, 42.0, 42.2, 44.6, 44.7, 117.7, 125.6,126.6, 127.7, 128.1, 129.9, 131.7, 137.4, 139.1, 145.9, 148.6, 178.0; MSm/z (rel intensity) 458.3 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 31: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-dimethylamino-benzylamide. 161 mg, Yield=76.1%; m.p.: 154-156° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.72-1.97 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.36 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.94 (s, 6H, N(CH₃)₂), 4.32-4.34 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.73(m, 1H, HN), 6.68-6.71 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 7.13-7.16 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H,Ar—H), 7.28 (s, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.7, 29.0, 35.8,38.7, 40.9, 42.3, 43.4, 44.8, 112.9, 126.6, 128.5, 129.2, 137.7, 140.9,173.4; MS m/z (rel intensity) 422.66 (M⁺, 100), 423.66 (MH⁺, 90), 424.64(60).

Compound 32: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-trifluoromethoxy-benzylamide. 200 mg, Yield=86.2%; m.p.: 119-121° C.;¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.72-2.02 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.24 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.39-4.41 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.27 (s, 1H, HN), 7.06-7.26(m, 8H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 35.7, 35.8, 36.7, 38.4,38.7, 42.1, 42.4, 42.8, 43.6, 44.8, 121.2, 121.6, 126.3, 126.6, 128.5,128.7, 129.1, 137.5, 148.4, 177.9; MS m/z (rel intensity) 464.4 (MH⁺,70).

Compound 33: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3-trifluoromethoxy-benzylamide. 200 mg, Yield=86%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 1.75-2.00 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.28 (s, 2H, Admant-CH),4.45-4.47 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 6.00 (m, 1H, HN), 7.01-7.19 (m, 3H,Ar—H), 7.24-7.38 (m, 5H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 35.7,36.7, 38.7, 42.0, 42.2, 42.8, 44.8, 119.8, 125.9, 126.6, 128.5, 130.2,131.8, 141.5, 148.6, 149.7, 177.8; MS m/z (rel intensity) 464.2 (MH⁺,100).

Compound 34: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid4-phenoxy-benzylamide. 170 mg, Yield=72.0%; m.p.: 121-123° C.; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.58-1.99 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.27 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.41-4.43 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.88 (m, 1H, HN), 6.95-7.02(m, 3H, Ar—H), 7.09-7.14 (m, 1H, Ar—H), 7.20-7.36 (m, 9H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 35.6, 36.5, 38.5, 42.0, 42.9, 43.9, 44.6,118.8, 118.9, 123.3, 128.2, 129.0, 129.6, 131.4, 133.1, 148.1, 156.5,156.9, 176.9; MS m/z (rel intensity) 472.36 (MH⁺, 100), 473.36 (30),474.37 (30).

Compound 35: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-benzylamide. 143mg, Yield=48%; m.p.: 184-186° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 302 (MH⁺, 8).

Compound 36: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid3,4-dihydroxy-benzylamide. 134 mg, Yield=65%; m.p.: 73-75° C.; MS m/z(rel intensity) 412 (MH⁺, 10).

Compound 37: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acidphenethyl-amide. 150 mg, Yield=76%; m.p.: 123-125° C.; MS m/z (relintensity) 394 (MH⁺, 14).

Compound 38: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 156 mg, Yield=78%; m.p.: 103-105° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 412 (MH⁺, 52), 413 (17), 414 (20).

Compound 39: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 30 mg, Yield=55%; m.p.: 114-116° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 472 (MH⁺, 38), 474 (MH⁺, 42);

Compound 40: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 112 mg, Yield=55%; m.p.: 174-176°C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 410 (MH⁺, 100), 411 (25), 412 (33).

Compound 41: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 159 mg, Yield=75%; m.p.: 108-110°C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 424 (MH⁺, 55), 425 (18), 426 (20).

Compound 42: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3-bromo-4-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 220 mg, Yield=87.5%; oil; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.63-1.89 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.25 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.71-2.76 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.42-3.48(q, J=12 Hz, 2H,NCH₂), 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.62 (s (br), 1H, NH), 6.82-6.84 (d, J=6 Hz,1H, Ar—H), 7.07-7.09 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H, Ar—H), 7.27-7.30 (m, 4H, Ar—H),7.36 (s, 1H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 34.6, 35.7, 36.7,38.6, 40.8, 41.9, 42.2, 44.8, 56.5, 112.3, 111.7, 126.6, 128.5, 128.6,129.0, 132.8, 133.9, 148.6, 154.7, 177.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 502(MH⁺, 80), 503 (25), 504 (MH⁺, 100), 505 (33);

Compound 43: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 69 mg, Yield=24%; mp: 98-100°C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 0.94-0.98 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.60-1.95 (m,15H, Admant-CH), 3.12-3.15 (m, 2H, CH₂), 6.39-6.41 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H,Ar—H), 6.54 (s, 1H, Ar—H), 6.60-6.62 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H, Ar—H), 7.35 (s, 1H,NH); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 27.6, 29.4, 35.1, 36.9, 37.8, 38.6,44.6, 46.4, 114.8, 116.9, 119.4, 131.4, 145.6, 164.4; MS m/z (relintensity) 316.5 (MH⁺, 50), 317.5 (8).

Compound 44: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 100 mg, Yield=47.0%; m.p.:124-126° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 426 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 45: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-amide. 190 mg, Yield=87%; oil; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.71-1.90 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.24 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.70-2.75 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.42-3.48 (q, J=6 Hz, 2H,CH₂), 5.61 (m, 1H, NH), 5.93 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.60-6.63 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H,Ar—H), 6.67 (s, 1H, Ar—H), 6.73-6.76 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H, Ar—H), 7.26-7.29(m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.6, 28.8, 35.4, 35.5, 36.4,38.3, 40.6, 41.6, 42.0, 43.8, 44.5, 100.8, 108.2, 109.0, 121.5, 126.2,128.1, 132.5, 146.0, 148.2, 177.0; MS m/z (rel intensity) 438.28 (MH⁺,100), 439.29 (45), 440.28 (55).

Compound 46: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(3-phenoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 200 mg, Yield=82%; m.p.: 114-116°C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.70-1.95 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.23 (s,2H, Admant-CH), 2.75-2.80 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.45-3.51(q, J=12 Hz,2H, NCH₂), 5.63 (s (br), 1H, NH), 6.83-7.01 (m, 5H, Ar—H), 7.07-7.18 (m,2H, Ar—H), 7.22-7.35 (m, 6H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8,29.0, 35.8, 36.7, 38.6, 40.7, 41.9, 42.3, 44.8, 116.9, 117.1, 119.2,119.4, 123.5, 123.6, 123.9, 126.6, 128.5, 130.0, 130.2, 141.7, 148.3,157.4, 177.7; MS m/z (rel intensity) 486.58 (MH⁺, 93), 487.56 (60),488.55 (68), 489.54 (25).

Compound 47: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide. 224 mg, Yield=92%; m.p.: 88-90° C.;¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.71-1.90 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.24 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.77-2.81 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.48-3.51 (m, 2H, NCH₂),5.63 (s (br), 1H, NH), 6.94-7.00 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.09-7.35 (m, 9H, Ar—H);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.1, 29.3, 35.2, 35.8, 36.7, 38.7, 40.9,41.9, 42.3, 44.8, 118.9, 119.4, 123.5, 126.6, 128.6, 129.3, 130.0,130.4, 131.8, 134.2, 148.7, 156.1, 157.6, 177.5; MS m/z (rel intensity)486.58 (MH⁺, 93), 487.56 (60), 488.55 (68), 489.54 (25).

Compound 48: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-phenyl-propyl)-amide. 195 mg, Yield=59%; m.p.: 97-100° C.; MS m/z(rel intensity) 408 (MH⁺, 55).

Compound 49: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-amide. 200 mg, Yield=87.7%; m.p.: 208-210° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.74-2.09 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.26 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 4.48-4.50 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 5.94 (m, 1H, HN), 7.29-7.37(m, 6H, Ar—H), 7.42-7.46 (m, 3H, Ar—H), 7.55-7.59 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.7, 29.0, 35.8, 36.7, 38.8, 42.0, 42.3, 43.4, 44.9,126.6, 127.3, 127.6, 127.7, 128.4, 128.5, 129.0, 137.7, 140.9, 148.5,177.4; MS m/z (rel intensity) 456.59 (MH⁺, 90), 457.57 (20), 458.56(30).

Compound 50: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amide. 120 mg, Yield=76%; m.p.: 157-159° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 277 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 51: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amide. 136 mg, Yield=74.4%; m.p.: 146-148° C.;¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.06-2.77 (m, 25H, Admant-CH,

4.44-3.70 (m, 1H, CH), 5.41-5.43 (m, 1H, HN), 7.26-7.29 (m, 4H, H—Ar);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 11.6, 29.1, 32.5, 35.8, 36.7, 38.6, 41.9,42.2, 44.8, 46.0, 46.4, 54.7, 126.6, 128.5, 131.8, 148.6, 176.8; MS m/z(rel intensity) 387 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 52: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-amide. 182 mg, Yield=66.2%; m.p.: 142-147° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 387 (MH⁺, 48).

Compound 53: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-tert-butylamino-propyl)-amide. 160 mg, Yield=79%; oil; ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 11.1(s, 9H, 3CH₃), 1.69-1.95 (m, 14H, Admant-CH, CH₂),2.18 (m, 1H, HN), 2.25 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 2.70-2.74 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H,CH₂), 3.33-3.38 (m, 2H, CH₂), 7.16-7.27 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.42 (m, 1H, HN);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.5, 28.7, 29.1, 29.4, 35.9, 36.7, 38.8,39.3, 39.7, 41.1, 41.8, 42.3, 42.6, 45.0, 46.0, 51.8, 126.3, 128.3,128.4, 148.8, 177.8; MS m/z (rel intensity) 403.1 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 54: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-amide. 184 mg, Yield=92%; m.p.: 86-88° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.63-1.92 (m, 18H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.24 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.50 (s, 4H, CH₂), 2.58-2.62 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.33-3.38(m, 2H, CH₂), 7.19-7.28 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.92 (m, 1H, HN); ¹³C NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 23.7, 26.5, 29.1, 35.9, 36.7, 38.7, 40.7, 41.7, 42.3,44.9, 54.4, 56.4, 126.6, 128.4, 129.6, 131.6, 148.8, 177.6; MS m/z (relintensity) 401.25 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 55: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[3-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propyl]-amide. 190 mg, Yield=98%; oil; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.60-2.12 (m, 16H, cyclo-CH₂, Admant-CH), 2.27 (s,2H, Admant-CH), 2.36-2.47 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H, cyclo-CH₂), 3.15-3.20 (t,J=7.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 3.32-3.42 (m, 4H, CH₂), 7.09 (m, 1H, HN), 7.18-7.32(m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 18.2, 26.5, 29.1, 31.1, 35.0,35.9, 36.7, 38.5, 39.5, 42.0, 42.4, 44.8, 47.6, 126.7, 128.4, 166.5,177.9; MS m/z (rel intensity) 415.6 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 56: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]-amide. 23 mg, Yield=33%; m.p.:82-84° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 291 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 57: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]-amide. 200 mg, Yield=61.7%; Oil; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.68-2.36 (m, 24H, Admant-CH,

2.98-3.04 (m, 1H, CH*), 3.17-3.27 (m, 1H, Ha), 3.45-3.53 (m, 1H, Hb),7.24-7.30 (m, 4H, H—Ar); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 22.9, 28.6, 29.1,29.5, 35.9, 36.7, 38.6, 40.9, 41.7, 42.4, 44.7, 57.3, 65.0, 126.5,128.4, 131.6, 148.8, 177.4; MS m/z (rel intensity) 401 (MH⁺, 100). HCLsalt: m.p.: 68-70° C.

Compound 58: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide. 147 mg, Yield=73%; m.p.: 110-112° C.; MSm/z (rel intensity) 403 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 59: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-piperazin-1-yl-ethyl)-amide. 144 mg, Yield=72%, oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 1.65-1.97 (m, 15H, NH, cyclo-CH₂, Admant-CH), 2.27 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 2.36-2.50 (m, 6H, cyclo-CH₂), 2.87-2.90 (m, 2H, CH₂),3.30-3.95 (m, 2H, CH₂), 6.34 (m, 1H, HN), 7.18-7.29 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³CNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 35.6, 36.4, 38.4, 41.6, 42.1, 44.5, 46.2,52.7, 54.1, 56.8, 126.3, 128.2, 148.4, 156.2, 177.3; MS m/z (relintensity) 402.6 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 60: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide.200 mg, Yield=74%; m.p.: 155-157° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 285.63(MH⁺, 100), 286.71 (40).

Compound 61: 3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide. 105 mg, Yield=97%; oil; MS m/z (relintensity) 365 (MH⁺, 90).

Compound 62: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide. Yield=92.6%; m.p.: 128-130° C.; ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.72-2.25 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 4.44-4.46 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H,CH₂-Py), 6.18 (m, 1H, HN), 7.13-7.15 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, H-Py), 7.15-7.30(m, 4H, H-Ph), 8.52-8.54 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, H-Py); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 28.98, 35.73, 36.71, 38.77, 42.18, 42.37, 44.88, 122.38, 125.30,126.57, 128.56, 129.26, 148.39, 150.20 177.76; MS m/z (rel intensity)381.50 (MH⁺, 100), 383.41 (90), 384.35 (80).

Compound 63: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide.175 mg, Yield=61%; m.p.: 151-153° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 285 (MH⁺,100).

Compound 64: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide. 70 mg, Yield=55.7%; m.p.: 144-147° C.; MSm/z (rel intensity) 395 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 65: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-amide. 195 mg, Yield=95%; m.p.: 128-130° C.; ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.70-2.00 (m, 14H, CH₂, Admant-CH), 2.27 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 3.25-3.32 (m, 2H, CH₂), 3.96-4.00 (m, 2H, CH₂), 5.65 (m, 1H,HN), 6.95 (s, 1H, imidazol-H), 7.07 (s, 1H, imidazol-H), 7.26-7.28 (m,4H, Ar—H), 7.49 (s, 1H, imidazol-H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0,31.5, 35.7, 36.7, 37.0, 38.6, 41.9, 42.2, 44.8, 45.0, 119.1, 126.3,126.6, 128.5, 129.8, 131.8, 137.3, 148.5, 178.0; MS m/z (rel intensity)398.66 (MH⁺, 100), 399.62 (45), 400.63 (60), 401.60 (20).

Compound 66: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-amide. Yield=56%; m.p.: 145-147° C.; MS m/z(rel intensity) 419 (MH⁺, 35).

Compound 67: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amide. 120 mg, Yield=67%; m.p.: >240° C.; MS m/z (relintensity) 358.2 (MH⁺, 100), 359.1 (35), 361.1 (60).

Compound 68: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-amide. 111 mg, Yield=46%; m.p.: 165-167° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 482.67 (MH⁺, 100), 483.67 (65), 484.66 (55).

Compound 69: Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]-amide. 182 mg, Yield=49%; m.p.:162-164° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 373 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 70: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]-amide. Yield=56%; m.p.: 172-174° C.;MS m/z (rel intensity) 483 (MH⁺, 20).

Compound 71: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acidbenzothiazol-2-ylamide. Yield=48.8%; m.p.: 209-211° C.; MS m/z (relintensity) 423 (MH⁺, 50).

Compound 72: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(5-chloro-benzooxazol-2-yl)-amide. Yield=45%; oil; MS m/z (relintensity) 441 (MH⁺, 18).

Compound 73: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid(9H-purin-6-yl)-amide. 180 mg, Yield=88.2%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 1.84-2.21 (m, 13H, NH, Admant-CH), 2.38 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 7.07 (s,1H, Ar—H), 7.30 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.63 (s, 1H, Ar—H), 8.38 (s, 1H, Ar—H);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 35.5, 36.7, 37.7, 38.7, 42.1, 44.6,45.1, 117.7, 123.2, 125.5, 126.5, 126.6, 128.7, 129.9, 130.1, 132.1,137.4, 147.8, 174.3; MS m/z (rel intensity) 408.6 (MH⁺, 100).

Example 4 Method for the Conversion of Adamantylamides intoAdamantylamines

As an example, a process for the synthesis of adamantylamine compoundsis described in Scheme 3. A number of adamantylamides, prepared asdescribed above, were converted to their corresponding adamantylaminesby reduction of the carbonyl group with Zn(BH₄)₂ (Scheme 3).

Zinc borohydride (Zn(BH₄)₂) was prepared by methods known in the art.Briefly, 20.8 g (165 mmol) of freshly fused ZnCl₂ and 12.9 g (330 mmol)of NaBH₄ were placed in a dried 250 ml side arm flask fitted with areflux condenser. To this, 250 ml of dry THF was added using adouble-ended needle, and the mixture was stirred for 24 h at roomtemperature. The active hydride content of the supernatant solution wasestimating by quenching aliquots with 2NH₂SO₄ and estimating the amountof hydrogen that was evolved using a gas burette. The final supernatantsolution contained 0.66 M Zn(BH₄)₂, and was used for further reactionsas follows.

The general method for the conversion of adamantylamides into thecorresponding adamantylamines involved combining 100 mg of anadamatanylamide with 2.0 ml of Zn(BH₄)₂ (0.36 M, 2.3 mmol) in THF. Themixture was refluxed for 24 h, and any excess hydride present wasquenched by the addition of 1 ml of water. Typically, the mixture wasthen saturated with K₂CO₃ and the supernatant layer was filtered anddried over K₂CO₃, and the solvent was removed by evaporation. Theresidue was then purified by flash chromatography (ethylacetate:hexane=1:4) to give the adamantylamine compound.

The following Example provides several representatives of the productsof this process; however, these methods can be adapted to produce manystructurally related adamantylamines that are considered to be subjectsof this invention.

Example 5 Synthesis of Adamantylamines

The methods described in Example 4 were used to prepare a library ofsubstituted adamantylamines. Data provided below include: the amountsynthesized, the yield of the reduction reaction; the melting point(m.p.) of the compound; mass spectral (MS) data for the compound; andNMR spectral data for the compound.

Compound 75: [3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-isopropyl-amine.39 mg, Yield=41%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 318 (MH⁺, 20).

Compound 76:4-{[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-amino}-phenol. 75 mg,Yield=66%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.60-1.86 (m, 12H, Admant-H),2.22 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.58-2.62 (m, 1H, NH), 2.83 (s, 2H, CH₂),6.53-6.56 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 6.68-6.71 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 7.28(s, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 14.3, 29.0, 34.9, 36.1, 36.7,39.9, 42.6, 46.3, 57.4, 114.1, 116.1, 126.3, 128.1, 131.2, 143.2, 147.3,148.9; MS m/z (rel intensity) 368.6 (MH⁺, 100), 369.6 (50), 370.6 (30).

Compound 77:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-amine.23 mg, Yield=28%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.55-1.83 (m, 13H,Admant-H, NH), 2.18 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.32 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 3.84 (s, 2H,NCH₂), 7.27 (s, 4H, Ar—H), 7.43-7.45 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 7.56-7.58(d, J=6 Hz, 2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.1, 34.7, 36.3,36.7, 40.0, 42.7, 46.5, 54.1, 61.7, 125.1, 126.3, 128.0, 131.1, 144.9,149.1; MS m/z (rel intensity) 434.4 (MH⁺, 60), 435.4 (25), 436.4 (30).

Compound 78:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-amine.21 mg, Yield=24%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.55-1.83 (m, 12H,Admant-H), 2.20 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.32 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.88 (s, 2H,Ar—CH₂), 7.26-7.27 (s, 4H, Ar—H), 7.29-7.31 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.49-7.53 (m,2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 34.6, 36.2, 36.7, 39.9,42.7, 46.5, 47.6, 61.7, 112.4, 112.7, 120.8, 126.3, 128.0, 130.4, 131.8,149.1; MS m/z (rel intensity) 452.7 (MH⁺, 100), 453.7 (30), 454.7 (40).

Compound 79:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-amine.24 mg, Yield=38%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.28-1.82 (m, 12H,Admant-H), 2.19 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.51-2.55 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.88-2.90 (m,1H, CH₂), 3.40 (s, 1H, NH), 3.76-3.80 (m, 1H, CH₂), 4.08-4.13 (m, 1H,CH₂), 7.14-7.29 (m, 5H, Ar—H), 7.57 (m, 2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 28.5, 34.3, 35.5, 36.4, 39.8, 41.9, 42.1, 46.3, 61.2, 66.7,117.4, 117.7, 126.0, 128.2, 129.0, 130.5, 131.6, 135.9, 147.7, 158.1,161.5; MS m/z (rel intensity) 452.4 (MH⁺, 100), 453.4 (50), 454.4 (60).

Compound 80:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine.23 mg, Yield=36%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.28-1.80 (m, 12H,Admant-H), 2.15 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.53-2.57 (m, 1H, NCH₂), 2.84-2.90(m, 1H, NCH₂), 3.38 (m, 1H, NH), 3.68-3.75 (m, 1H, NCH₂), 4.14-4.19 (m,1H, NCH₂), 7.13-7.16 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 7.36-7.39 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H,Ar—H), 7.2-5-7.27 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.5, 29.0,34.6, 36.3, 39.7, 40.0, 42.7, 46.5, 53.9, 61.7, 66.2, 120.7, 121.2,126.0, 126.3, 128.1, 129.0, 131.6, 132.9, 147.9; MS m/z (rel intensity)450.6 (MH⁺, 70), 451.6 (30), 452.6 (40).

Compound 81:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-[2-(3-phenoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amine.27 mg, Yield=42%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.50-1.82 (m, 13H,Admant-CH, NH), 2.16 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 2.34 (s, 2H, CH₂), 2.76-2.84(m, 4H, NCH₂), 5.63 (s (br), 1H, NH), 6.83-7.01 (m, 5H, Ar—H), 7.07-7.18(m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.22-7.35 (m, 6H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.1,34.6, 36.1, 36.7, 40.0, 42.7, 46.5, 52.1, 62.3, 116.4, 118.8, 119.1,123.1, 123.6, 126.3, 128.0, 129.5, 142.2, 149.1, 157.1; MS m/z (relintensity) 472.4 (MH⁺, 100), 473.3 (70), 474.3 (80).

Compound 82:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine.12 mg, Yield=6%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 373.6 (MH⁺, 100), 374.6(25), 375.6 (36).

Compound 83:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-amine.Yield=12%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.54-1.82 (m, 12H, Admant-H),2.17 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.52 (s, 2H, CH₂), 2.63 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 2.77-2.80(m, 4H, NCH₂), 2.98-3.15 (m, 4H, NCH₂), 7.28 (s, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.8, 29.0, 34.3, 36.2, 39.8, 40.0, 42.3, 42.6, 45.9,46.5, 50.4, 51.5, 54.6, 58.5, 59.6, 60.3, 126.3, 128.0, 131.2, 148.1,149.4; MS m/z (rel intensity) 374.7 (MH⁺, 30), 375.7 (5), 376.7 (8).

Compound 84:N-tert-Butyl-N′-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-propane-1,3-diamine.Yield=18%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.29-1.32 (m, 6H, CH₂),1.55-1.90 (m, 21H, Admant-CH, C(CH₃)₃), 2.21-2.46 (m, 2H, Admant-CH),2.42-2.87 (m, 2H, NH), 3.29-3.31 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 7.26-7.28 (m, 4H,Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 26.4, 26.6, 28.6, 28.7, 28.8, 36.2,38.2, 38.4, 38.6, 39.7, 42.7, 44.6, 126.3, 128.0; MS m/z (rel intensity)389.6 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 85:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-amine.15 mg, Yield=15%; m.p.: 138-140° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.56-1.91(m, 18H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.21-2.46 (m, 5H, Admant-CH, NH, CH₂),2.72-2.89 (m, 6H, CH₂), 3.52(m, 2H, CH₂), 7.26-7.28 (m, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³CNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 22.8, 22.9, 23.3, 28.6, 29.8, 34.6, 35.6, 36.6,39.6, 39.8, 42.1, 42.2, 46.1, 56.6, 61.2, 61.3, 62.2, 126.2, 128.2,131.5, 147.9; MS m/z (rel intensity) 387.6 (MH⁺, 100), 388.6 (60), 389.6(65).

Compound 86:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]-amine.23 mg, Yield=24%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.54-1.87 (m, 20H, CH₂,Admant-H), 2.18 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.29-2.41 (m, 4H, CH₂), 2.62 (m, 3H,NCH₃), 2.87-3.18 (m, 1H, NCH), 3.36 (m, 1H, NH), 7.27 (s, 4H, Ar—H); ¹³CNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 29.0, 36.2, 36.7, 40.0, 40.6, 42.7, 46.6, 48.6,57.2, 64.7, 126.3, 128.0; MS m/z (rel intensity) 387.4 (MH⁺, 100), 388.4(33), 389.4 (40).

Compound 87:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amine.9 mg, Yield=9%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.57-1.90 (m, 16H,Admant-H), 2.25 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 2.36-2.47 (m, 4H, CH₂), 2.73-2.99 (m,4H, NCH₂), 3.57-3.58 (m, 2H, NCH₂), 4.32 (m, 1H, NH), 7.27 (s, 4H,Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.6, 29.1, 35.7, 36.2, 39.7, 40.0,46.6, 47.4, 53.8, 54.5, 55.4, 62.9, 67.1, 126.1, 16.3, 128.0, 128.2; MSm/z (rel intensity) 389.7 (MH⁺, 100), 390.7 (33), 391.7 (40).

Compound 88:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-amine.Yield=72%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.55-1.84 (m, 12H, Admant-H),2.20 (s, 2H, CH₂), 2.29 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 3.90 (s, 2H, Ar—CH₂),7.26-7.28 (s, 4H, Ar—H), 7.49-7.51 (d, J=6 Hz, 2H, Ar—H), 8.59-8.51 (d,J=6 Hz, 2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.9, 34.6, 36.0, 36.5,39.8, 42.5, 46.3, 52.6, 61.7, 123.9, 126.2, 127.9, 128.0, 131.0, 146.8,148.9, 154.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 367.7 (MH⁺, 100), 368.7 (35), 369.7(60).

Compound 89:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-amine.77 mg, Yield=81%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 468 (MH⁺, 20).

Compound 90:[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-ylmethyl]-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]-amine.15.5 mg, Yield=21%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 469 (MH⁺, 30).

Example 6 Methods for the Synthesis of Adamantylethylamine andAdamantylethylamide Compounds

As an example, a process for the synthesis of adamantylethylamine andadamantylethylamide compounds is described in Scheme 4.Substituted-1-adamantanecarbonyl chlorides (4) were prepared asdescribed in Example 1. Reaction of 4 with dimethyl malonate in toluenein the presence of sodium hydroxide yielded dimethyl(3-R-substituted-phenyl-1-adamantanecarbonyl)malonates (5), which werehydrolyzed by a mixture of acetic acid with water and sulfuric acid(CH₃COOH—H₂O—H₂SO₄ ratio 10:3:1) to afford the corresponding3-R-substituted-phenyl-1-adamantyl methyl ketone (6). Ketone 6 wasreacted with formamide and formic acid (Leukart reaction) to yield 7,which can be modified by either alkylation or acylation to produceadamantylethylamine compounds (8) or adamantylethylamide compounds (9).

A second method for the synthesis of adamantylethylamine compounds isdescribed in Scheme 5. 3-R-substituted-phenyl-1-adamantyl methyl ketone(6) was prepared as described above. By reaction of 6 with a substitutedprimary amine in formic acid, i.e. a Wallach reaction, the correspondingadamantylethylamine compound (8) can be obtained. For example, byreaction of 4-chloro-6 with 4-amino-1-methylpiperidine, which wassynthesized by converting N-methyl piperidone to the corresponding oximefollowed by reduction to the amino compound using lithium aluminumhydride (LiAlH₄),{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine,also referred to as Compound 107, was obtained.

The following Example provides several representatives of the productsof these processes; however, these methods can be adapted to producemany structurally related adamantylethylamine or adamantylethylamidecompounds that are considered to be subjects of this invention.

Example 7 Synthesis of Adamantylethylamine Compounds

The methods described in Example 6 were used to prepare a library ofsubstituted adamantylethylamine compounds. Data provided below include:the amount synthesized, the yield of the reaction; the melting point(m.p.) of the compound; and mass spectral (MS) data for the compound.

Compound 91: 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethylamine.Yield=77%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.95-0.98 (m, 3H, CH₃),1.30-2.22 (m, 16H, Admant-CH, NH₂), 4.24-4.30 (m, 1H, CH), 7.26-7.29 (m,4H, H—Ar); MS m/z (rel intensity) 290.4 (MH⁺, 40).

Compound 92:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-isopropyl-amine.Yield=27%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.91-0.94 (d, J=6 Hz, 6H,2CH₃), 1.15-1.68 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 1.81 (m, 3H, CH₃), 2.19 (s, 2H,Admant-CH), 3.74-3.76 (m, 1H, HN), 4.24-4.30 (m, 1H, CH), 7.26-7.29 (m,4H, H—Ar).

Compound 93: Phenyl-[1-(3-phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-amine.

Compound 94:{1-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-phenyl-amine.

Compound 95:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-phenyl-amine. Yield=19%;oil.

Compound 96: (1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethyl)-benzyl-amine. Yield=64%; m.p.:62-64° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.12-1.16 (d, J=8 Hz, 3H, CH₃),1.56-2.01 (m, 17H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 3.03 (m, 1H, HN), 4.24-4.40 (m, 1H,CH), 7.26-7.30 (m, 4H, Ar—H), 8.32 (s, 1H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 11.6, 29.1, 32.5, 35.8, 36.7, 38.6, 41.9, 42.2, 44.8, 46.0,46.4, 54.7, 126.6, 128.5, 131.8, 148.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 270.5(MH⁺, 10).

Compound 97: Benzyl-[1-(3-phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-amine.Yield=41%; oil.

Compound 98:Benzyl-{1-[3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine. Yield=42%;oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.92-0.95 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1.49-2.10(m, 21H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.19-2.29 (m, 6H, NCH), 2.79-2.94 (m, 1H, HN),6.94-7.04 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.28-7.35 (m, 2H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 28.98, 35.73, 36.71, 38.77, 42.18, 42.37, 44.88, 122.38,125.30, 126.57, 128.56, 129.26, 148.39, 150.2; MS m/z (rel intensity)364.5 (MH⁺, 75), 365.5 (20).

Compound 99.Benzyl-{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine. Yield=25%;oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.13-1.17 (d, J=8 Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1.59-2.05(m, 15H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.23 (s, 2H, Admant-H), 3.03 (m, 1H, HN),4.04-4.10 (m, 1H, CH), 7.20-7.31 (m, 8H, Ar—H), 8.33-8.35 (s, 1H, Ar—H);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 11.6, 29.1, 32.5, 35.8, 36.7, 38.6, 41.9,42.2, 44.8, 46.0, 46.4, 54.7, 126.6, 128.5, 131.8, 148.6; MS m/z (relintensity) 380.4 (MH⁺, 80)

Compound 100:(4-tert-Butyl-benzyl)-{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine.Yield=2%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 436.3 (MH⁺, 30).

Compound 101:[1-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]-{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine.Yield=3%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 472.2 (MH⁺, 98), 474.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 102: (1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethyl)-[2-(4-bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]-amine.Yield=0.4%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 362.2 (M-H⁺, 98), 364.2 (M-H⁺,100).

Compound 103:[2-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-ethyl]-{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine.Yield=11%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 472.1 (MH⁺, 50), 474.1 (MH⁺, 60).

Compound 104: (1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethyl)-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine.Yield=16%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.91-0.94 (d, J=9 Hz, 3H,CH₃), 1.43-2.00 (m, 23H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.25 (m, 3H, NCH₃), 2.47-2.50(m, 1H, NH), 2.76-2.80 (m, 2H, HC—N); MS m/z (rel intensity) 275.2(M-H⁺, 45).

Compound 105:(1-Methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-[1-(3-phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-amine.Yield=29%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.92-0.95 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H,CH₃), 1.49-2.10 (m, 21H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.19-2.29 (m, 6H, NCH),2.79-2.94 (m, 1H, HN), 6.94-7.04 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.28-7.35 (m, 5H, Ar—H);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.98, 35.73, 36.71, 38.77, 42.18, 42.37,44.88, 122.38, 125.30, 126.57, 128.56, 129.26, 148.39, 150.2; MS m/z(rel intensity) 353.6 (MH⁺, 85), 354.6 (25).

Compound 106:{1-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine.Yield=11%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.92-0.95 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H,CH₃), 1.49-2.10 (m, 21H, Admant-CH, CH₂), 2.19-2.29 (m, 6H, NCH),2.79-2.94 (m, 1H, HN), 6.94-7.04 (m, 2H, Ar—H), 7.28-7.35 (m, 2H, Ar—H);¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 28.98, 35.73, 36.71, 38.77, 42.18, 42.37,44.88, 122.38, 125.30, 126.57, 128.56, 129.26, 148.39, 150.2; MS m/z(rel intensity) 371.5 (MH⁺, 85), 372.5 (50), 373.5 (8).

Compound 107:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine.Yield=28%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.95-0.98 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H,CH₃), 1.30-2.75(m, 29H, Admant-CH, CN C H 3), 3.74-3.76 (m, 1H, HN),4.24-4.30 (m, 1H, CH), 7.26-7.29 (m, 4H, H—Ar); MS m/z (rel intensity)387.3 (MH⁺, 65).

Compound 108:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-amine.Yield=23%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 389.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 109:[1-(3-Phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethyl]-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-amine. Yield=16%;oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 347.2 (MH⁺, 30).

Compound 110:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(6-chloro-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amine.Yield=18%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 415.2 (MH⁺, 20).

Compound 111:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-amine.Oil.

Compound 112:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(3H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-amine.Oil.

Compound 113:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-amine.Yield=5%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 417.2 (M⁺-H, 15).

Compound 114:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-amine.Yield=60%; m.p.: 70-72° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 482 (M⁺, 50), 483(MH⁺, 25), 484 (20).

Compound 115:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-ylmethyl)-amine.Yield=13%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 496.2 (M-H⁺, 30).

Compound 116: 9-Ethyl-9H-carbazole-3-carboxylic acid{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amide. Yield=28.

Compound 117:1-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-3-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea.Yield=6%; m.p.: 103-105° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 511.2 (MH⁺, 5).

Compound 118:1-{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-3-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea.m.p: 103-105° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 1.05-1.07 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H,CH₃), 1.50-1.80 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.18 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 3.62-3.68(m, 1H, CH), 4.83-4.86 (m, 1H, HN), 6.91-6.94 (m, 1H, NH—Ar), 7.20-7.28(m, 4H, Ar—H), 7.32-7.35 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H, Ar—H), 7.48-7.51 (d, J=9 Hz,1H, Ar—H), 7.60 (s, 1H, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.2, 28.8,36.0, 36.5, 37.6, 37.8, 42.4, 54.0, 56.1, 117.8, 122.8, 126.2, 128.1,131.8, 132.7, 154.6; MS m/z (rel intensity) 511 (MH⁺, 5).

Compound 119:(4-Bromo-thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-{1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine.Yield=8%; oil; MS m/z (rel intensity) 464.1 (MH⁺, 50).

Compound 120:{1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethyl}-(4-phenyl-thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-amine.Yield=8%; oil; m/z (rel intensity) 463.0 (MH⁺, 100).

Example 8 Method for the Synthesis of Adamantylpropenones

As an example, a process for the synthesis of adamantylpropenonecompounds is described in Scheme 5. 3-R-substituted-phenyl-1-adamantylmethyl ketone (6) was prepared as described above. By reaction of 6 witha substituted aldehyde, the corresponding adamantylpropenone compound(10) can be obtained. For example, by reaction of 4-chloro-6 with4-hydroxybenzylaldehyde,1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone,also referred to as Compound 132, was obtained.

Example 9 Synthesis of Adamantylpropenones

The methods described in Example 6 were used to prepare a library ofsubstituted adamantylpropenone compounds. Data provided below include:the yield of the reaction; the melting point (m.p.) of the compound; andmass spectral (MS) data for the compound.

Compound 121: 3-Phenyl-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid.

Compound 122: 3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid.

Compound 123: 3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid.Yield=79%;

Compound 124: 1-Adamantan-1-yl-ethanone. m.p.: 44-46° C.

Compound 125: 1-(3-Phenyl-adamantan-1-yl)-ethanone. Yield=54%; ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.73-2.10 (m, 12H, Admant-CH), 2.14 (s, 3H, CH₃),2.27 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 7.25-7.26 (m, 1H, Ar—H), 7.30-7.36 (m, 4H,H—Ar).

Compound 126: 1-[3-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethanone.Yield=59%; 59%; oil; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.73-1.90 (m, 12H,Admant-CH), 2.10 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.27 (s, 2H, Admant-CH), 6.96-7.04 (m,2H, Ar—H), 7.28-7.35 (m, 2H, H—Ar).

Compound 127: 1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethanone. Yield=54%(2 steps); m.p.: 54-56° C.

Compound 128: 2-(Adamantane-1-carbonyl)-malonic acid dimethyl ester.Yield=80%; oil.

Compound 129: 2-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantane-1-carbonyl]-malonic aciddimethyl ester. Yield=91%; oil.

Compound 130:3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-1-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-propenone.Yield=18%.

Compound 131:4-{3-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-oxo-propenyl}-benzonitrile.

Compound 132:1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone.Yield=16%; m.p.: 87-89° C.; MS m/z (rel intensity) 393.2 (MH⁺, 100).

Compound 133:1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-naphthalen-2-yl-propenone.Yield=20%; m.p.: 82-84° C.

Compound 134:1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(6-chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-propenone.Yield=4%.

Compound 135:1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-propenone.Yield=3%; oil.

Compound 136:1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-propenone.Yield=3%; m.p.: 138-140° C.

Compound 137:1-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-3-(4-phenyl-thiophen-2-yl)-propenone.Yield=13%.

Example 10 Assays for Inhibition of Human SK Activity

An assay for identifying inhibitors of recombinant human SK has beenestablished (French et al., 2003, Cancer Res 63: 5962). cDNA for humanSK was subcloned into a pGEX bacterial expression vector, which resultsin expression of the enzyme as a fusion protein withglutathione-5-transferase, and the fusion protein is then purified on acolumn of immobilized glutathione. SK activity is measured by incubationof the recombinant SK with [³H]sphingosine and 1 mM ATP under definedconditions, followed by extraction of the assay mixture withchloroform:methanol under basic conditions. This results in thepartitioning of the unreacted [³H]sphingosine into the organic phase,while newly synthesized [³H]S1P partitions into the aqueous phase.Radioactivity in aliquots of the aqueous phase is then quantified as ameasure of [³H]S1P formation. There is a low background level ofpartitioning of [³H]sphingosine into the aqueous phase, and addition ofthe recombinant SK greatly increases the formation of [³H]S1P. Apositive control, DMS, completely inhibits SK activity at concentrationsabove 25 μM.

In an alternate assay procedure, the recombinant human SK was incubatedwith unlabeled sphingosine and ATP as described above. After 30 minutes,the reactions were terminated by the addition of acetonitrile todirectly extract the newly synthesized S1P. The amount of S1P in thesamples is then quantified as follows. C₁₇ base D-erythro-sphingosineand C₁₇ S1P are used as internal standards for sphingosine and S1P,respectively. These seventeen-carbon fatty acid-linked sphingolipids arenot naturally produced, making these analogs excellent standards. Thelipids are then fractionation by High-Performance Liquid Chromatographyusing a C8-reverse phase column eluted with 1 mM methanolic ammoniumformate/2 mM aqueous ammonium formate. A Finnigan LCQ Classic LC-MS/MSis used in the multiple reaction monitoring positive ionization mode toacquire ions at m/z of 300 (precursor ion) 282 (product ion) forsphingosine and 380→264 for S1P. Calibration curves are generated byplotting the peak area ratios of the synthetic standards for eachsphingolipid, and used to determine the normalized amounts ofsphingosine and S1P in the samples.

Example 11 Inhibition of Human SK by Compounds of this Invention

Each Compound of this invention was tested for its ability to inhibitrecombinant SK using the LC/MS/MS assay described above. Typically, theCompounds were individually dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide and tested ata final concentration of 6 μg/ml. The results for the assays are shownin Table 3. The data demonstrate that compounds of Formula I demonstratea range of abilities to inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant SK.Several Compounds caused complete suppression of SK activity at theconcentration of 6 micrograms/ml (corresponding to approximately 15micromolar). As detailed in the Examples below, significantly greaterconcentrations of the Compounds can be achieved in the blood of micereceiving the Compounds by oral administration, indicating that theCompounds are sufficiently potent to be therapeutically useful.

Although many of the Compounds inhibited the purified SK enzyme, it wasuseful to determine their abilities to inhibit endogenous SK in anintact cell. We have previously described an intact cell assay where,following treatment with a test compound, MDA-MB-231 human breastcarcinoma cells are incubated with [³H]sphingosine at a finalconcentration of 1 μM (French et al., Cancer Res 63: 5962 (2003)). Thecells take up the exogenous [³H]sphingosine and convert it to [³H]S1Pthrough the action of endogenous SK. The resulting [³H]S1P is isolatedvia charge-based separation as indicated above. The results from thisassay are indicated in Table 3. The data demonstrate that many of theCompounds that inhibit purified SK also inhibit SK activity in theintact cell. For potency studies, MDA-MB-231 cells were exposure tovarying concentrations of a test Compound and then assayed forconversion of [³H]sphingosine to [³H]S1P. Each of Compounds decreased[³H]S1P formation in a dose dependent fashion, with IC₅₀ values rangingfrom 15 to 64 μM. These results demonstrate that compounds of formula Ior II effectively inhibit SK activity in intact cells.

TABLE 3 Inhibition of SK activity. Recombinant SK Cellular S1P CellularS1P Compound (% inhibition) (% inhibition) IC₅₀ (μM) 1 38 0 ND 2 0 ND ND3 6 ND ND 4 44 14 ND 5 100 17 ND 6 72 90 15 7 100 96 ND 8 49 0 ND 9 8440 ND 10 3 9 ND 11 17 0 ND 12 36 3 ND 13 78 0 ND 14 19 ND ND 16 8 ND ND17 56 ND ND 18 0 ND ND 20 0 ND ND 21 65 ND ND 22 56 ND ND 23 0 ND ND 2420 ND ND 25 47 ND ND 26 36 ND ND 27 50 ND ND 28 6 ND ND 29 55 0 ND 30 1ND ND 31 74 ND ND 32 17 ND ND 33 10 ND ND 34 0 ND ND 35 87 0 ND 36 37 72ND 37 24 36 ND 38 40 34 ND 39 19 26 ND 40 100 52 ND 41 67 23 ND 42 5 NDND 43 0 0 ND 44 33 88 35 45 64 ND ND 46 4 ND ND 47 26 ND ND 48 36 14 ND49 33 ND ND 50 0 44 ND 51 84 88 25 52 54 61 ND 53 52 ND ND 54 95 ND ND55 8 ND ND 56 33 40 ND 57 30 83 60 58 67 55 ND 59 0 ND ND 60 0 23 ND 6158 24 ND 62 13 92 26 63 0 39 ND 64 41 80 63 65 3 ND ND 66 92 8 ND 67 10ND ND 68 17 0 ND 69 40 13 ND 70 33 4 ND 71 27 0 ND 72 14 1 ND 73 53 NDND 74 0 28 ND 75 ND 41 ND 76 42 ND ND 77 27 ND ND 78 43 ND ND 79 19 NDND 80 5 ND ND 81 67 ND ND 82 75 ND ND 83 60 88 16 84 84 ND ND 85 0 ND ND86 6 ND ND 87 75 55 64 88 1 ND ND 89 37 1 ND 90 26 16 ND 93 70 ND ND 1040 ND ND 114 33 46 51 118 77 5 ND 130 38 ND ND 131 41 ND ND 132 8 ND ND133 36 ND ND 134 52 ND ND 135 64 ND ND Human SK was incubated with 6μg/ml of the indicated compounds, and then assayed for activity asdescribed above. Values in the column labeled “Recombinant SK (%inhibition)” represent the percentage of SK activity that was inhibited.MDA-MB-231 cells were incubated with 20 μg/ml of the indicated compoundsand then assayed for endogenous SK activity as indicated above. Valuesin the column labeled “Cellular S1P (% inhibition)” represent thepercentage of S1P production that was inhibited. Additionally,MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with varying concentration of certaincompounds and the amount of S1P produced by the cells was determined.Values in the column labeled “Cellular S1P IC₅₀ (μM)” represent theconcentration of compound required to inhibit the production of S1P by50%. ND = not determined.

Example 12 Selectivity of SK Inhibitors of this Invention

A common problem with attempts to develop protein kinase inhibitors isthe lack of selectivity toward the target kinase since the majority ofthese compounds interact with nucleotide-binding domains that are highlyconserved among kinases. To determine if compound of this invention arenon-selective kinase inhibitors, the effects of the SK inhibitor,Compound 62, on a diverse panel of 20 purified kinases was determined.The compound was tested at a single concentration of 50 μM. The kinasesand the effects of the SK inhibitor are shown in Table 4.

The data indicate high specificity of Compound 62 for SK in that none ofthe 20 diverse kinases tested were significantly inhibited by thiscompound. The panel included both serine/threonine kinases and tyrosinekinases, as well as several that are regulated by their interaction withlipids. Overall, the data indicate that the biological effects of thecompounds of this invention are not mediated by off-target inhibition ofprotein kinases.

TABLE 4 Selectivity of Compound 62. Kinase Compound 62 Kinase Compound62 Ca²⁺/calmodulin  81 ± 3 MEK 104 ± 3  PK IV kinase 1 Abl  98 ± 0 CHK1142 ± 13 Aurora-A 103 ± 1 EFGR 101 ± 3  Protein kinase C α  86 ± 5 Fyn84 ± 5 Protein kinase C ε 101 ± 1 cSrc 115 ± 3  CDK1/cyclinB 105 ± 1IKKα 150 ± 16 CDK2/cyclinE 106 ± 6 PKA 104 ± 5  P38 MAP kinase 1  94 ± 2PKBα 95 ± 2 P38 MAP kinase 2 109 ± 5 PKBγ 105 ± 8  PDK1 116 ± 3 cRaf 96± 5 Values represent the percent of control activity of the indicatedkinase in the presence of 50 μM of Compound 62.

Example 13 Cytotoxicity Profiles of SK Inhibitors of this Invention

To further assess the biological efficacies of the Compounds in intactcells, each Compound was evaluated for cytotoxicity using human cancercell lines. These experiments followed methods that have beenextensively used. Cell lines tested included MCF-7 human breastadenocarcinoma cells and MCF-10A non-transformed human breast epithelialcells. The indicated cell lines were treated with varying doses of thetest Compound for 48 h. Cell survival was then determined using the SRBbinding assay (Skehan et al., 1990, J Natl Cancer Inst 82: 1107), andthe concentration of compound that inhibited proliferation by 50% (theIC₅₀) was calculated. The cytotoxicities of the compounds of thisinvention are summarized in Table 5. Values (in μM) represent themean±sd for replicate trials. As the data show, the compounds of thisinvention are antiproliferative at sub-to-low-micromolar. In many cases,the transformed MCF-7 cells were significantly more sensitive than werethe non-transformed MCF-10A cells. This indicates that the Compoundswill inhibit the growth of tumor cells without inducing toxicity tonormal cells within the patient. Overall, the data demonstrate thatthese Compounds are able to enter intact cells and prevent theirproliferation, making them useful for the indications described above.

TABLE 5 Anticancer activity of compounds of this invention. MCF-7MCF-10A Compound IC₅₀ (μM) IC₅₀ (μM) 1 23 151 2 20 ND 3 18 ND 4 72 137 5ND 30 6 5 15 7 3 ND 8 47 94 9 9 17 10 ND 170 11 87 87 12 11 99 13 51 11514 36 ND 15 >112 ND 16 17 ND 17 17 ND 18 19 ND 19 >108 ND 20 33 ND 21 27ND 22 18 ND 23 23 ND 24 17 ND 25 87 ND 26 19 ND 27 8 ND 28 64 ND 29 7106 30 14 ND 31 74 ND 32 24 ND 33 30 ND 34 >106 ND 35 19 ND 36 13 9 37 5127 38 9 40 39 15 106 40 6 37 41 6 71 42 >100 ND 43 27 ND 44 6 9 45 17ND 46 91 ND 47 16 ND 48 ND ND 49 68 ND 50 181 ND 51 8 25 52 10 15 53 11ND 54 11 ND 55 ND ND 56 10 ND 57 6 8 58 20 36 59 ND ND 60 7 ND 61 ND ND62 17 21 63 11 ND 64 8 20 65 ND ND 66 19 53 67 ND ND 68 54 104 69 30 10670 7 103 71 21 118 72 2 6 73 80 ND 74 3 70 75 11 ND 76 5 ND 77 ND ND 7830 ND 79 ND ND 80 ND ND 81 ND ND 82 ND ND 83 5 ND 84 ND ND 85 ND ND 86 5ND 87 38 33 88 11 ND 89 74 41 90 96 107 91 5 4 92 2 6 93 15 ND 94 0.6 ND95 22 68 96 9 9 97 0.5 ND 98 3 ND 99 0.7 ND 100 0.3 ND 101 10 ND 102 2ND 103 ND ND 104 34 ND 105 5 14 106 2 6 107 1 1 108 5 ND 109 26 ND 110 6ND 111 13 ND 112 5 ND 113 14 ND 114 55 9 115 1 ND 116 6 ND 117 3 ND 118ND ND 119 11 ND 120 108 ND 121 13 176 122 155 182 123 48 95 124 11 105125 8 59 126 2 6 127 6 16 128 34 63 129 16 105 130 7 ND 131 27 ND 132 17ND 133 13 ND 134 16 ND 135 3 ND 136 8 ND 137 9 ND The cytotoxicity ofthe indicated Compounds toward human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) andnon-transformed human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A) were determined.Values represent the mean IC₅₀ for inhibition of cell proliferation. ND= not determined.

Example 14 Survey of Anticancer Activity of SK Inhibitors of thisInvention

The data provided above demonstrate the abilities of compounds of thisinvention to inhibit the proliferation of human breast carcinoma cells.To examine the range of anticancer activity of representative compounds,the chemotherapeutic potencies of Compounds 62 and 57 towards a panel ofvaried human tumor cell lines representing several major tumor typeswere determined. The data are described in Table 6, and demonstrate thatthe compounds of this invention have anticancer activity against a widevariety of cancers.

TABLE 6 Potencies of SK inhibitors toward human tumor cell lines. IC₅₀(μM) IC₅₀ (μM) Cell Line Tissue Compound 62 Compound 57 1025LU melanoma33.7 ± 2.7 7.2 ± 0.8 A-498 kidney 12.2 ± 6.0 8.0 ± 3.5 Caco-2 colon 11.8± 5.6 3.2 ± 2.0 DU145 prostate 21.9 ± 1.5 8.7 ± 3.3 Hep-G2 liver  6.0 ±2.6 5.0 ± 1.8 HT-29 colon 48.1 ± 7.6 9.6 ± 4.0 MCF-7 breast, ER+ 18.4 ±7.4 12.1 ± 3.1  MDA-MB-231 breast, ER−  29.1 ± 11.1 12.5 ± 2.5  Panc-1pancreas 32.8 ± 0.1 14.1 ± 6.3  SK-OV-3 ovary 10.5 ± 2.6 9.2 ± 2.8 T24bladder 39.4 ± 7.4 12.7 ± 2.8  Sparsely plated cells were treated withan SK inhibitor for 48 hours, and cell viability was determined usingsulforhodamine B staining and compared to vehicle-(DMSO) treated cells.Values are the mean ± sd for at least three separate experiments.

Example 15 In Vivo Toxicity of SK Inhibitors of this Invention

For example, Compounds 62 and 57 were found to be soluble to at least 15mg/ml (˜30-40 mM) in DMSO: PBS for intraperitoneal (IP) administrationor PEG400 for oral dosing. Acute toxicity studies using IP dosingdemonstrated no immediate or delayed toxicity in female Swiss-Webstermice treated with up to at least 50 mg/kg of Compounds 62 and 57.Repeated injections in the same mice every other day over 15 days showedsimilar lack of toxicity. Each of the compounds could also beadministered orally to mice at doses up to at least 100 mg/kg withoutnoticeable toxicity.

Example 16 Pharmacokinetics of SK Inhibitors of this Invention

Oral pharmacokinetic studies were performed on Compounds 62 and 57. Eachcompound was dissolved in PEG400 and administered to femaleSwiss-Webster mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg by oral gavage. Mice wereanesthetized and blood was removed via cardiac puncture at 5 minutes, 30minutes, 1, 2, and 8 hours. Concentrations of the test compounds weredetermined using liquid-liquid extraction, appropriate internalstandards and reverse phase HPLC with UV detection. Control bloodsamples were run to identify compound-specific peaks. Pharmacokineticparameters were calculated using the WINNONLIN analysis software package(Pharsight). Non-compartmental and compartmental models were tested,with the results shown in Table 7 derived from the best fit equations.

TABLE 7 Oral pharmacokinetic data for SKI inhibitors. Dose AUC_(0→∞)t_(max) C_(max) t_(1/2) Compound (mg/kg) (μg * h/mL) (μM * h) (h) (μM)(h) 62 100 172 452 0.5 55.8 7.3 57 100 45 111 2.0 3.8 19.3

These studies demonstrate that substantial amounts of each compound canbe detected in the blood 1 h after oral dosing. Both compounds haveexcellent PK properties, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) and C_(max)(maximum concentration reached in the blood) values exceeding the IC₅₀for recombinant SK catalytic activity, as well as for S1P formation inthe intact cell model for at least 8 h. The high half-life suggestsprolonged activity, which will diminish the need for frequent dosingregimens. These PK properties demonstrate that the compounds of thisinvention have excellent drug properties, specifically high oralavailability with low toxicity.

Oral bioavailability studies were performed on Compound 62 dissolved in0.375% Tween-80. Female Swiss-Webster mice were dosed with 50 mg/kgCompound 62 either intravenously or orally. Mice were anesthetized andblood was removed by cardiac puncture at time points ranging from 1minute to 8 hours. Concentrations of Compound 62 were quantified usingliquid-liquid extraction and reverse phase HPLC coupled to an ion trapquadrapole mass spectrometer. Control blood samples were spiked withknown amounts of internal standard and analyte to identifycompound-specific peaks and to develop standard curves forquantification. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using theWINNONLIN analysis software package (Pharsight). Non-compartmental andcompartmental models were tested, with the results from the best fittingmodels shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Bioavailability data for Compound 62. Dose AUC_(0→∞) AUC_(0→∞)T_(max) C_(max) C_(max) T_(1/2) Route (mg/kg) (μg * h/ml) (μM * h) (h)(μg/ml) (μM) (h) IV 50 56.9 137 0 31.1 74 1.4 Oral 50 37.5 90.1 0.25 819 4.5

Blood levels of Compound 62 exceeded the IC₅₀ for inhibition of SKactivity during the entire study. Comparison of oral versus intravenouspharmacokinetics of Compound 62 revealed very good oral bioavailabilityproperties (F=AUC (oral)/AUC (iv)=0.66). These results demonstrate thatCompound 62 has excellent drug properties, specifically good oralavailability with low toxicity.

Example 17 Antitumor Activity of SK Inhibitors of this Invention

The antitumor activity of the representative SK inhibitors wereevaluated using a syngeneic tumor model that uses the mouse JC mammaryadenocarcimona cell line growing subcutaneously in immunocompetentBalb/c mice (Lee et al., 2003, Oncol Res 14: 49). These cells expresselevated levels of SK activity relative to non-transformed cells, aswell as the multidrug resistance phenotype due to P-glycoproteinactivity.

The data are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, Balb/c mice, 6-8 weeksold, were injected subcutaneously with 10⁶ JC cells suspended inphosphate-buffered saline. The SK inhibitors Compounds 62 and 57 weredissolved in PEG400 and administered to mice every-other day at a doseof 100 mg/kg. Body weights and tumor volumes were monitored daily. InFIG. 1, tumor growth is expressed as the tumor volume relative to day 1for each animal.

As indicated in FIG. 1, tumor growth in animals treated with either SKinhibitor was significantly lower (>70% decreased at day 16) than tumorgrowth in control animals. Compounds 62 and 57 inhibited tumor growthrelative to controls by 69 and 78%, respectively. The insert of FIG. 1indicates the body weight of the animals during this experiment. Nosignificant difference in the body weights of animals in the threegroups was observed, indicating the lack of overt toxicity from eitherSK inhibitor.

Dose-response studies with Compound 62 demonstrated that the compoundhas antitumor activity when orally administered at doses of 35 kg/kg orhigher (FIG. 2). No toxicity to the mice were observed at any dose.

Additional compounds of this invention were tested for their ability toinhibit the growth of JC adenocarcinoma cells in mice. The results aresummarized in Table 9.

TABLE 9 In vivo antitumor activity of SK inhibitors. Compound In vivoactivity 44 active - ip 51 active - ip and po 57 active - po 62 active -ip and po 107 active - ip The indicated compounds were tested in the JCtumor model using either intraperitoneal (ip) or oral (po)administration. A compound is indicated as being active if it suppressedtumor growth by at least 60% relative to tumors in control animals.

Example 18 In Vivo Effects of SK Inhibitors on VEGF-Induced VascularPermeability

The effects of VEGF on vascular leakage in vivo were measured asdescribed by Miles and Miles (Miles et al., 1952, J Physiol 118: 228).Groups of female athymic nude mice (approximately 20 g) were givenintraperitoneal injections of DMSO alone or Compound 62 (75 mg/kg) in avolume of 50 microliters. In some experiments, Compound 62 wasadministered by oral gavage at a dose of 100 mg/kg. After 30 minutes,100 μL of 0.5% Evan's blue dye in PBS was administered by tail veininjection. Thirty minutes later, mice received the first of 3 sequential(every 30 minutes) intradermal injections of VEGF (400 ng in 20 μL ofPBS per injection) on the left hind flank. As a control, similarinjections of PBS were administered on the right hind flank. Thirtyminutes after the last injection, leakage of the dye from thevasculature into the skin was assessed by measuring the length and widthof the spots of blue-colored skin using calipers.

Administration of an intradermal bolus of VEGF results in leakage of theprotein-bound dye into the skin indicating a local increase in vascularpermeability. As indicated in FIG. 3, when Compound 62 was administeredby either intraperitoneal injection or oral gavage one hour before theVEGF treatment, vascular leakage (determined three hours later) wasmarkedly reduced. Therefore, SK inhibitors of this invention have theability to suppress in vivo vascular leakage in response to VEGF.

Example 19 In Vivo Effects of SK Inhibitors on Diabetic Retinopathy

Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-175 g were used. Diabetes wasproduced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg incitrate buffer) after overnight fasting. Sham-injected non-diabeticanimals were also carried as controls. Blood glucose was measured threedays post-injection and animals with blood glucose over 250 mg/dL wereused as diabetic rats for the study. Blood glucose levels and bodyweights were monitored weekly throughout the study. On Day 45, retinalvascular permeability was measured in a group of control and diabeticrats (Antonetti et al., 1998, Diabetes 47: 1953, Barber et al., 2005,Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci 46: 2210). Briefly, animals were weighed,anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine (80/0.8 mg/kg) and injected withfluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA;Sigma catalog number A-9771) into the femoral vein. Following 30 minutesof FITC-BSA circulation, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation. Trunkblood was collected to measure the FITC-BSA concentration, and eyes werequickly enucleated. Each eye was placed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 1hour and frozen in embedding medium in a bath of isopentane and dry ice.The paraffin-embedded eyes were sectioned on a microtome making 10 μmsections. Sections were dewaxed and viewed with an Olympus OM-2fluorescence microscope fitted with a Sony CLD video camera.Fluorescence intensities of digital images were measured using LeicaConfocal Software (Version 2.61, build 1538, LCS Lite, 2004). Theaverage retinal intensity for each eye was then normalized tonon-injected controls analyzed in the same manner and to the plasmafluorescence of the animal. Through serial sectioning of the eye, thistechnique enables quantification of varied vascular permeability in theretina (Antonetti et al., 1998, Diabetes 47: 1953, Barber et al., 2005,Ibid.).

The remaining control animals were maintained for an additional 6 weeks,i.e. until Day 87, as were the remaining diabetic rats that were dividedinto untreated, low-dose Compound 62 (25 mg/kg) or high-dose Compound 62(75 mg/kg) treatment groups. Compound 62 was administered byintraperitoneal injection (dissolved in 0.375% Tween-80) days per weekfrom Day 45 to Day 87. On Day 87, all remaining animals were tested forretinal vascular permeability as described above. Sections were alsostained for SK immunoreactivity using rabbit polyclonal antibodies, andcounterstained for nuclei using Hoescht stain.

Hyperglycemic rats were left untreated for 45 days to allow theprogression of retinopathy. At that time, control and diabetic rats wereevaluated for retinal vascular permeability by measuring the leakage ofFITC-labeled BSA into the retina using quantitative image analyses. Thediabetic animals had substantial increases in the leakage of the labeledBSA into the inner plexiform and outer nuclear layers of the retina.Quantification of the images indicated that there is an approximately4-fold increase in the amount of FITC-BSA leakage in the retinas fromdiabetic rats. Therefore, substantial diabetes-induced vascular damagewas present before the initiation of treatment with the SK inhibitor.

All of the surviving rats were sacrificed on Day 87 and retinopathy wasmeasured as the leakage of FITC-BSA into the retina. As indicated inFIG. 4, retinal vascular permeability in the diabetic rats wassignificantly elevated compared with the control rats. Diabetic animalsthat had been treated with the SK inhibitor Compound 62, at either dose,had substantially reduced levels of FITC-BSA leakage than did theuntreated diabetic rats. This effect of the compound was manifested inboth the inner plexiform layer and the outer nuclear layer of theretina.

Immunohistochemistry with the SK antibody described above was used toevaluate the expression of SK in the retinas of these animals.Fluorescence in the retinal pigment epithelium and the outer segment wasnon-specific since it was present in samples incubated in the absence ofthe SK antibody. Retinal sections from control rats had only low levelsof specific staining for SK; whereas, SK expression was markedlyelevated in the ganglion cell layer and in specific cell bodies andprojections at the interface of the inner nuclear layer and the innerplexiform layer. Elevated SK expression was also observed in both thelow-dose and the high-dose Compound 62-treated animals. Therefore, thelong-term hyperglycemic state appears to be associated with elevation ofretinal SK levels that are not normalized by treatment with the SKinhibitor. This expression data indicates that Compound 62 veryeffectively suppresses SK activity in the diabetic retina, therebypreventing the increased vascular permeability normally present inretinopathy.

Example 20 Inhibition of TNFα-Induction of NFκB by SK Inhibitors

The excellent aqueous solubility of Compound 62 allowed it to beevaluated in an NFκB reporter cell line (FIG. 5). Fibroblaststransfected with an NFκB response element linked to luciferase producehigh levels of luciferase upon exposure to TNFα. Activation of NFκB byTNFα was dose-dependently suppressed by the SK inhibitor, Compound 62.

Example 21 Inhibition of TNFα-Induced Adhesion Molecule Expression by SKInhibitors

Like endothelial cells in the body, HUVECs will proliferate in responseto several growth factors, and will respond to inflammatory cytokinessuch as TNFα and IL-1β. Western analyses were conducted with humanendothelial cells to evaluate the effects of the SK inhibitors onsignaling proteins known to be regulated by TNFα. In these experiments,the cells were serum-starved for 24 hours and then exposed to TNFα (100ng/mL) for 6 hours. Cell lysates from treated cells were assayed for theadhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. TNFα caused marked increases inthe expression levels of adhesion proteins involved in leukocyterecruitment, including ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. These effects of TNFα wereinhibited by treating the cells with Compound 62, such that theinduction of both proteins was completely abrogated by 25 μM Compound62.

Example 22 Inhibition of TNFα-Induced Prostaglandin Synthesis by SKInhibitors

To determine the effects of the SK inhibitors on Cox-2 activity, anELISA assay was used to measure PGE₂ production by IEC6 rat intestinalepithelial cells and human endothelial cells treated with TNFα. Exposureof either type of cell to TNFα resulted in marked increases in Cox-2activity, measured as the production of PGE₂ (FIG. 6). This induction ofCox-2 activity by TNFα was strongly suppressed by Compound 62.

Overall, these data demonstrate that inhibition of SK will be effectivein blocking the inflammatory cascade in cells initiated by TNFα. This isexpected to alleviate the pathology of diseases several inflammatorydiseases, including IBD, arthritis, atherosclerosis and asthma.

Example 23 In Vivo Effects of SK Inhibitors in an Acute Model ofInflammatory Bowel Disease

We have conducted experiments with SK inhibitors using the dextransulfate sodium (DSS) model of IBD. In these experiments, male C57BL/6mice were provided with standard rodent diet and water ad libitum. Aftertheir acclimation, the animals were randomly divided into groups of 5 or6 for DSS (40,000 MW from ICN Biomedicals, Inc., Aurora, Ohio)— anddrug-treatment. The SK inhibitors were dissolved in PEG400, and givenonce daily by oral gavage in a volume of 0.1 mL per dose. Dipentum, anFDA-approved anti-colitis drug whose active ingredient, olsalazine, isconverted to 5-aminosalicylic acid in vivo, was used as a positivecontrol. The mice were given normal drinking water or 2% DSS and treatedorally with an SK inhibitor or Dipentum at a dose of 50 mk/kg daily. Thebody weight of each animal was measured each day, and the DiseaseActivity Index (DAI) was scored for each animal on Days 4-6. On Day 6,the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the entire colonwas removed and measured to the nearest 0.1 cm. Portions of the colonswere then fixed, sectioned and their histologies were assessed on ablinded basis to determine their Histology Score. Other portions of thecolons were used for biochemical analyses of inflammation markers.

The DAI monitors weight loss, stool consistency and blood in the stooland is a measure of disease severity. Animals receiving normal drinkingwater and PEG as a solvent control had very low DAIs throughout theexperiment (FIG. 7). Exposure of the mice to DSS in their drinking watermarkedly induced IBD symptoms, including weight loss and the productionof loose, bloody stools. The intensity of the disease progressivelyincreased from Day 4 to the time the mice were sacrificed on Day 6.Treatment of the animals receiving DSS with Compound 62 or Dipentumreduced the intensity of the IBD manifestations in the mice, mostdramatically on Day 6. The SK inhibitors and Dipentum were essentiallyequivalent in their abilities to reduce the DAI of mice receiving DSS.It should be noted that this acute model produces rapid and dramaticsymptoms of IBD, making it a very stringent assay for drug testing.

On Day 6, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and theentire colon was measured to assess shortening due to scarring anddamage, and then fixed, sectioned and examined histologically on ablinded basis. Compared with the water control group, the colons of micetreated with DSS and PEG were significantly shortened (FIG. 8).DSS-treated mice that were also treated with Compound 62 or Dipentum hadcolons of intermediate length, indicating substantial protection by thedrugs. Again, the response to either of the SK inhibitors was at leastas good as that of mice treated with Dipentum.

Histological examination of colon sections from the various treatmentgroups were consistent with the DAI endpoint, revealing marked damage inthe DSS-alone group that was reduced or negated in the SKinhibitor-treated animals. Colons from water-treated control animaldemonstrated normal morphology, while colons from DSS alone-treated micewere severely inflamed and damaged. Numerous neutrophils were presentthroughout the section, along with severely damaged crypts, and moderateinflammatory infiltration with submucosal edema. Colons from animalstreated with DSS and Compound 62 showed no or mild crypt damage, no orlow levels of inflammatory cell infiltration and no edema in thesubmucosa.

As a quantifiable measure of damage, the colons were graded for theirHistology Score, which is based on inflammation severity, inflammationextent, crypt damage and the percentage of surface area demonstratingthe characteristic. These morphologies were scored on a blinded basis.As indicated in FIG. 9, animals receiving DSS in their drinking waterhad substantially higher Histology Scores (representingmoderate-to-severe IBD) than animals receiving normal drinking water(which had some mild inflammation, possibly due to the PEG vehicle). Aswith the other assays, the Histology Scores of mice given an SKinhibitor or Dipentum were consistently lower than the DSS-aloneanimals, although not all animals were fully protected. DAI scores andhistology scores correlated well for the individual animals, confirmingthat the DAI score as an excellent indicator of colon inflammation anddamage.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, which is reflective of neutrophil influxinto the colon, is often used as measure of inflammation, and wasassayed in the colons of the mice from the DSS-colitis studies. Asindicated in FIG. 10, MPO activity was highly elevated in the DSS-aloneanimals compared to water controls. The increase in MPO activity wasmarkedly attenuated in mice receiving daily doses of Compound 62 orDipentum. This reduction in the activity of the neutrophil marker isconsistent with the decreased occurrence of granulocytes observed in theH&E-stained colon sections. Therefore, the level of colonic MPO appearsto be an excellent biomarker for the extent of tissue infiltration byinflammatory leukocytes.

Several cytokines involved in inflammation were measured using theLuminex 100 System that allows the quantification of multiple cytokinesand growth factors in a small sample volume. We examined the Th1cytokine IFN-γ, the regulatory IL-10 cytokine, as well as themacrophage-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 incolon samples from mice in the DSS model of colitis. FIG. 11 depicts theresults of these assays, and indicates that DSS-treatment promoted theaccumulation of all of the cytokines in the colon. Importantly, theelevations of all of the pro-inflammatory proteins, i.e. IFN-γ, IL-1β,IL-6 and TNFα, were attenuated in mice treated with either an SKinhibitor or Dipentum. Conversely, levels of the anti-inflammatorycytokine IL-10 were not suppressed by the SK inhibitors.

As a final measure of the effects of the SK inhibitors in this acutemodel, S1P levels were assayed in the colons of the DSS-treated animalsusing an LC-MS/MS method. This technique allows us to examinecorrelations between biologic activity and changes in S1P levels inanimals treated with the SK inhibitors. Samples of colons from animalsfrom the DSS-colitis experiments were homogenized in cold PBS, spikedwith internal standards (C₁₇ analogs of sphingosine and S1P) andprocessed by liquid-liquid extraction. Ratios of analyte to internalstandard for each sphingolipid were determined. S1P levels were markedlyhigher in the colons from DSS-treated mice as compared to the watercontrols (FIG. 12). Importantly, animals that were treated with Compound62 had markedly lower levels of colonic S1P than the DSS-alone samples.

Example 24 In Vivo Effects of SK Inhibitors in a Chronic Model ofInflammatory Bowel Disease

A 35-day model of IBD was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the SKinhibitors in mice that experience multiple cycles of DSS-inducedinflammation. This chronic model is similar to the acute model, exceptthat the DSS concentration in the drinking water is lower and animalsreceive periodic exposure to DSS (DSS on days 1-7, water on Days 8-13,DSS on day 14-21, water on Days 22-27 and then DSS until the completionof the study on Day 35). In these experiments, treatment of the micewith an SK inhibitor or Dipentum began on Day 28 and continued dailyuntil the completion of the study. The DAI index was monitored everyother day until Day 28 and then daily until Day 35. Animals weresacrificed on Day 35, and changes in the colon length and cytokineprofiles were measured.

Cyclic exposure of mice to DSS in their drinking water caused reversibleincreases in the DAI (FIG. 13). Treatment of the mice with Compound 62or Dipentum during the third exposure to DSS significantly suppressedthe increase in DAI experienced by the control mice (P<0.001 for allthree compounds on Day 35).

The colon lengths of DSS-treated mice were significantly shorter thanthe water-treated control animals (4.9±0.2 cm vs. 7.8±0.3 cm) reflectinginflammation-induced scarring. As in the acute model, the colons ofanimals treated with Compound 62 or Dipentum were of intermediate length(6.2±0.2 and 6.1±0.2 cm, respectively). This is a significant findingsince the animals were untreated for the first and second DSS cycles.Therefore, suppression of inflammation-induced colon contraction can bereversed by effective anti-IBD drugs.

Immunohistochemistry revealed that SK expression was present in lowlevels in the colons of control, non-DSS treated mice. SK expression waselevated in the colons of DSS treated mice compared to water controlswith this expression clearly reduced in DSS mice also receiving Compound62.

S1P levels in the colons of the chronic colitis model mice were assessedin an identical manner as described for the acute model, and revealedresults similar to those in the acute model with elevated S1P levels inDSS alone treated mice as compared to water controls (FIG. 14).Treatment with Compound 62 (oral 50 mg/kg daily; 7 days prior tosacrifice) resulted in significant reductions of S1P levels (FIG. 14).

The levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-6were substantially increased in the colons of mice treated chronicallywith DSS; whereas, the level of IL-10 was unchanged (FIG. 15). Micetreated with Compound 62 during the final DSS cycle had reduced levelsof the pro-inflammatory cytokines, while animals treated with Dipentumexpressed cytokine profiles equivalent to the DSS-alone group. This mayreflect the presence of high numbers of resident immune cells in thecolons of mice exposed chronically to DSS. However, the elevation incytokine levels in the SK inhibitor-treated mice does not result inincreased DAI or colon shortening, indicating that signaling induced bythe inflammatory cytokines had been blocked.

For comparison, the levels of the same cytokines in the serum of themice at the time of sacrifice were also determined. As indicated in FIG.16, the circulating levels of these cytokines are markedly lower thanthe colonic levels reflecting the local inflammation in this model. DSSincreased the circulating levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10, whileTNFα remained below the detection limit of the assay. None of the testcompounds affected the circulating levels of IL-1β or INF-γ; however,both Compound 62 and Dipentum reduced the serum level of IL-6.Therefore, serum levels of IL-6 may be a useful pharmacodynamic markerfor the anti-inflammatory effects of the SK inhibitors during clinicaltesting.

Example 25 In Vivo Effects of SK Inhibitors in the Collagen-InducedArthritis Model in Mice

The anti-arthritis activities of the SK inhibitor Compound 62 wereassessed in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) model. Female DBA/1mice were injected subcutaneously in the tail with chickenimmunization-grade type II collagen (Chondrex) emulsified in completeFreund's adjuvant (Sigma) at 2 mg/mL. Three weeks later, the micereceived a collagen booster in incomplete Freund's adjuvant and weremonitored daily thereafter for arthritic symptoms. Once mice reached athreshold paw thickness and clinical score, they were randomized intothe following treatment groups: Compound 62 (100 mg/kg given orally eachday for 6 days per week) or vehicle (0.375% Tween-80 given under thesame schedule). The severity of disease in each animal was quantified bymeasurement of the hind paw volume with digital calipers. Each paw wasscored based upon perceived inflammatory activity, in which each pawreceives a score of 0-3 as follows: 0=normal; 1=mild, but definiteredness and swelling of the ankle or wrist, or apparent redness andswelling limited to individual digits, regardless of the number ofaffected digits; 2=moderate redness and swelling of the ankle and wristand 3=severe redness and swelling of the entire paw including digits,with an overall score ranging from 0-12. Differences among treatmentgroups were tested using ANOVA.

As indicated in FIG. 17, treatment with either SK inhibitor dramaticallyslowed the inflammation response, measured as either the AverageClinical Score (FIG. 10A) or the Average Hind Paw Diameter (FIG. 10B),with significant decreases beginning at Day 5 of treatment for bothendpoints. By the end of the experiment on Day 12, Compound 62 caused a90% reduction in the increase in hind paw thickness, and a 67% reductionin clinical score compared with vehicle-treated mice. Since a 30%reduction in symptoms is considered demonstrative of anti-arthriticactivity in this assay, the SK inhibitor surpasses the criteria forefficacy in this model.

On Day 12, the mice were euthanized and their hind limbs were removed,stripped of skin and muscle, formalin-fixed, decalcified andparaffin-embedded. The limbs were then sectioned and stained withhematoxylin/eosin. Tibiotarsal joints were evaluated histologically forseverity of inflammation and synovial hyperplasia. Collagen-InducedArthritis resulted in a severe phenotype compared with non-induced mice,manifested as severe inflammation and synovial cell infiltration, aswell as significant bone resorption. Mice that had been treated withCompound 62 had significantly reduced histologic damage, correlatingwith the paw thickness and clinical score data.

Example 26 In Vivo Effects of SK Inhibitors in the Adjuvant-InducedArthritis Model in Rats

Adjuvant-induced arthritis is another widely used assay thatrecapitulates many features of human rheumatoid arthritis, and so isuseful in the evaluation of new drug candidates. Age- and weight-matchedmale Lewis rats (150-170 g) were injected subcutaneously in the tailwith 1 mg of Mycobacterium butyricum (Difco, killed dried) suspended in0.1 ml of light mineral oil. Symptoms of immune reactivity were presentafter 2 weeks. Responsive rats were randomized into treatment groups,and received oral daily doses (1 ml) of: solvent alone (0.375%Tween-80); 100 mg/kg Compound 62; 35 mg/kg Compound 62; or 5 mg/kgCompound 62, or intraperitoneal injections of indomethacin (5 mg/kg)every other day as a positive control. The severity of disease in eachanimal was quantified by measurement of the hind paw thickness. Asabove, a reduction of 30% or greater was considered to be an indicationof anti-inflammatory activity in this model.

As indicated in FIG. 17, solvent alone-treated rats demonstrated aprogressive increase in paw thickness over the course of the next 10days. Compound 62 inhibited this arthritic response in a dose-dependentmanner, with the highest dose having similar therapeutic efficacy asindomethacin. Compound 62 at doses of 5, 35 or 100 mg/kg resulted in 13,42 and 76 percent reductions in the arthritic response, respectively.Thus, Compound 62 is highly effective in this arthritis model.

1. A compound of the formula I

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X—R₂ is—C(R₃,R₄)N(R₅)—R₂ or —C(O)N(R₄)—R₂; R₁ is phenyl substituted with 1 to 5groups that are independently halogen, haloalkyl, —CONR′R″, OC(O)NR′R″,—NR′C(O)R″, CF₃, OCF₃, —CN, —CO₂H, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″, or —SO₂R′, whereinR′ and R″ are independently H or (C₁-C₆) alkyl, and wherein each alkylportion of a substituent is optionally further substituted with 1, 2, or3 groups independently selected from halogen, CN, OH, and NH₂; R₂ isaryl, -alkylaryl, heterocycloalkyl or -alkyl-heterocycloalkyl; R₃ is Hor alkyl; wherein the alkyl and ring portion of each of the above R₂ andR₃ groups is optionally substituted with up to 5 groups that areindependently (C₁-C₆) alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —OC(O)(C₁-C₆ alkyl),—C(O)O(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)R″, —CF₃, —OCF₃,—OH, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, —CN, —CO₂H, —SH, —S-alkyl, —SOR′R″,—SO₂R′, —NO₂, or NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl portion of a substituent is optionallyfurther substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected fromhalogen, CN, OH, and NH₂; and R₄ and R₅ are independently H or alkyl. 2.A compound according to claim 1 wherein X—R₂ is —C(O)N(R₄)—R₂.
 3. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is phenyl substituted with oneor two halogen groups.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₂ isaryl or -alkylaryl.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein X—R₂ is—C(R₃,R₄)N(R₅)—R₂.
 6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R₃ is H oralkyl and R₄ is H.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₂ isheterocycloalkyl or -alkyl-heterocycloalkyl.
 8. A compound according toclaim 1, that is: 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-phenyladamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;4-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamido)phenyl acetate;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-hydroxymethylphenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-benzyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-methylsulfanylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-fluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,4,5-trifluorobenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(3-chloro-4-fluorobenzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-fluoro-3-trifluorobenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(2-chloro-4-fluorobenzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(3-aminomethyl-2,4,5,6-tetrachlorobenzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-dimethylaminobenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-trifluoromethoxybenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-trifluoromethoxybenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-phenoxybenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-phenethyladamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-fluorophenethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(4-bromophenethyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-methoxyphenethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(3-bromo-4-methoxyphenethyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)ethyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-phenoxyphenethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-phenoxyphenethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-phenylpropyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;N-(biphen-4-ylmethyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)propyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-morpholinoethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide;4-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methylamino)phenol;1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)methanamine;1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)-N-(2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)methanamine;1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)-N-(4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)methanamine;1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)-N-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl)methanamine;N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-2-(4-phenoxyphenyl)ethanamine;N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-1-methylpiperidin-4-amine;N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-4-methylpiperazin-1-amine;N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-1-amine;N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-2-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethanamine;N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-2-morpholinoethanamine;N-(1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethyl)aniline;N-(1-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethyl)aniline;N-benzyl-1-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethanamine;N-benzyl-1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethanamine;N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethanamine;1-(4-bromophenyl)-N-(1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethyl)ethanamine;N-(4-bromophenethyl)-1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethanamine;N-(1-(3-(4-fluorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethyl)-1-methylpiperidin-4-amine;N-(1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethyl)-1-methylpiperidin-4-amine;orN-(1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)adamantan-1-yl)ethyl)-4-methylpiperazin-1-amine,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound according to claim 1, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, medium, or auxiliary agent.
 10. Amethod of inhibiting sphingosine kinase in a patient in need of suchinhibition, the method comprising administering to the patient acompound or salt according to claim 1, or a composition comprising acompound or salt according to claim 1 in combination with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, medium, or auxiliary agent.
 11. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is 4-chlorophenyl.